Surname Hancke - Meaning and Origin
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Hancke: What does the surname Hancke mean?
The last name Hancke is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German given name "Hannel" which was derived from the Old Germanic personal name "Haimo," meaning "home," "estate," or "family." Hancke is an occupational surname, typically acquired by ancestral ancestors who worked as home officials and administrators in the Middle Ages. This could have been a community or state official, such as a mayor or a tax collector. In some cases, it could have been a local judge. It is believed by some that the name also has Jewish roots, derived from the Old German spelling of Hahn, similar to the English term “chicken” which is the symbol of the town of Heilbronn in the Rhineland Palatinate, Germany. The town is also known for its falconry.
The name has continued to adapt and evolve since its first documented use in the mid-14th century. In modern times, it is seen spelled as Hanck, Hanke, or Hancke. It can also be a hyphenated surname such as Hanck-Hancke or Hancke-Hankel.
The bearer of the surname may bear a unique and distinct legacy, to honor and remember the values and contributions of their ancestor’s who once held a distinguished position as an official or magistrate – an important role known for maintaining the peace and order of a community.
Order DNA origin analysisHancke: Where does the name Hancke come from?
The last name Hancke is most commonly found in Germany, though there are some bearing this surname in other parts of the world.
In Germany, the surname Hancke is mainly concentrated in the state of Lower Saxony, in the west of the country. It is also present in some other German states, such as Hamburg, Berlin and Bavaria. The highest concentrations of the name Hancke in Lower Saxony are in the districts of Rotenburg, Celle and Heidekreis.
Immigrants from Germany have taken the surname to other countries, mainly in Europe, the United States, Canada, Argentina and Brazil. Although all these countries have a significant number of Hancke individuals, the United States is where the largest number outside Germany can be found. In the US, the highest concentrations are in Florida, Texas and California, with Chicago also having a large population of Hancke families.
Indeed, the last name Hancke can be found all round the world, though its greatest presence remains in Germany.
Variations of the surname Hancke
The surname Hancke is an occupational name of German origin, derived from the term 'hanke' meaning 'hook'. This name was popular among the ancient German population, which is why it has several distinct variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Some of the variants of the surname Hancke include Hank, Hanke, Hanck, Hancken, Hannke, Hankemann, Hanckemann, Hankmann and Hankemьller. All of these variants are derived from the same German term.
Similar to the variants of this surname, there are also several distinct spellings of Hancke. The names Hanke and Hannke are spelt differently, with the latter being the German spelling. The surname Hankmann can be spelt as Hankman, and the surname Hankemьller as Hankemuhler.
The surnames of the same origin as Hancke include Hahne, Hankemьller, Hannig, Hankah, Hahnke and Hanken.
Overall, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Hancke are numerous and varied. The interchangeable variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Hancke are a reflection of the etymological and cultural history of the German language.
Famous people with the name Hancke
- Bernardo Hancke- Chilean actor, singer and model.
- Brad Hancke- American actor known for appearing on the show Big Brother 17.
- Nicole Hancke- 16 year old German singer.
- Ben Hancke- Professional skateboarder from Michigan.
- Jimmy Hancke- Professional baseball pitcher from Canada.
- Dennis Hancke- American soccer player who was part of the US National Soccer team in 2002.
- Korbinian Hancke- German radio presenter and DJ.
- Alison Hancke- American Folk singer-songwriter hailing from the Sierra Nevada.
- Randall Hancke- American bass player for the band Under The Blue.
- Benny Hancke- Professional judoka from Germany.