Surname Willcke - Meaning and Origin
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Willcke: What does the surname Willcke mean?
The last name Willcke is of German origin. It is derived from an occupational surname which likely indicated someone who made or sold a specific type of willow basket. It may also have derived from a comparison of the popularity of certain willow goods to goods made of other materials. As well, the name might have been used to describe a person who lived close to a willow patch where such goods were made.
In German, the word “willke” translates roughly to “willow”. This type of basket was popular during the Middle Ages and, due to its durability and aerodynamic qualities, was used to store goods and transport wares. As well, different parts of the willow were woven together to create attractive baskets, making them a decorative item as well.
The surname Willcke has been popular throughout Europe, including in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Records of the name may date back as far as the 13th century in Germany. In the United States, Willcke is a relatively uncommon name. It is primarily concentrated in Texas, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.
Today, those with the surname Willcke are typically proud of their German heritage. They may celebrate the traditions and customs of their ancestors with pride.
Order DNA origin analysisWillcke: Where does the name Willcke come from?
The last name Willcke is mainly associated with Germany. Records indicate that it has been used for generations in German speaking areas, particularly in the Pfalz and Rheinhessen regions (situated between Mannheim and Mainz in the Rhineland-Palatine). It has been used in Germany since at least the 16th century when records show that it was common in the Alsace area of France.
Outside of Germany, Willcke is not a particularly common surname. Major migrations of Germans and other northern Europeans during the 18th and 19th centuries brought the name to many other countries, but the name remains fairly rare outside of German-speaking areas. In the United States, Willcke is mainly found in the Midwest, in states such as Wisconsin and Illinois, which have large populations of German descent.
The name is also found in some other parts of Europe, particularly in areas such as Denmark, France, and Switzerland where significant numbers of German-speaking people live. In addition, a small number of Willckes are found in countries from Central and South America that have histories of German emigration.
In summary, the surname Willcke is mainly associated with Germany, particularly the Rhineland-Palatine and the Midwest United States, but it is also found in small numbers in other countries around the world with German-speaking populations.
Variations of the surname Willcke
The variant, spelling and surnames of Willcke have various origins but share the same root name and sound. Willcke is derived from the Middle High German phrase “willech” which means ‘determined’ or ‘resolved’. It is also a German form of the Jewish surname Wilchek which is derived from the Hebrew phrase “shalom”. Over time, the surname has taken on various forms, including Wilke, Wilken, Wilcken, Wilkens, Willcke, Wilkes, Willkom, Wilkins, Wilcox and Wilcoxon.
In some cases, the surname has been Anglicized to Wilkes or Wilkin, with Will’s being a further branch. A Dutch variant of the surname is Willims and in France, variants such as Wilquin or Wilquin are also found. In addition, there are some unique variations such as Willycott and Willet.
In light of this, we can also see that Willcke is a widely found surname throughout Europe. This suggests that people bearing this surname may have had various origins and traveled to different places. As a result, the study of surnames can help to identify social mobility in the past, allowing us to trace the travels and motivations of those who bore this surname.
Famous people with the name Willcke
- Axel Willcke: A German actor, known for his roles in the Doctor’s Diary (2007–2009) and Angel Express (2010).
- Robert Willcke: A German composer who wrote film music for various films, including Quanto fai di bello (1989), Turbulence 2: The Fear of Flying (1999) and Ladykiller (2001).
- Michael Willcke: A German television presenter and actor, who often appears on SAT.1 and RTL television shows.
- Klaus Willcke: A German journalist and former editor-in-chief at the Saarbrücker Zeitung newspaper.
- Anke Willcke: A German-born Swiss television presenter and reality TV star. She is best known for her appearances on the television show Let's Dance (2011).
- Joseph Willcke: A German sculptor, who is best known for his sculptures of notable figures in German history, such as Martin Luther and Albert Einstein.
- Erich Willcke: A German astronomer and discoverer of minor planets at the Jena Observatory in Thuringia, Germany.
- Johanna Willcke: A German stage and film actress, best known for her roles in comedies, such as The Big Finish (1968) and the comedy series Unterhaltung der Guten Laune (1986: 1990).
- Harald Willcke: A German composer and arranger of film music, including the scores for Heaven Above (1991) and the animated movie Fritzi, the Witch (1995).
- Christa Willcke: A German actress and voice artist, known for voicing Peter Streck in the animated film Konrad oder das Kindermädchen (1979).