Surname Anacker - Meaning and Origin
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Anacker: What does the surname Anacker mean?
The last name Anacker is of German origin and is derived from the personal name “Anacker” which is a variant of the popular name “Anacker”, meaning “little Anacker”. This name likely originated as a diminutive version of “Anac” or “Anax”, which were both Germanic masculine names. The surname was also recorded in many spellings such as Anecker and Onnacke, so the spelling can vary in different areas and over time.
The earliest recorded bearer of this name was Albrecht Anacker, a knight from Holstein who was recorded in 1218. This suggests that this family derived from this area and possibly descended from other Germanic families.
Anacker is a popular surname in many parts of Germany. It is also found in Dutch and British populations, and because of Germanic influence, it is likely that many people with this surname have descent from Europe and the British Isles.
The meaning of Anacker can be interpreted to mean “one who is little or small”, and this can be seen in the way the name is often spelled or pronounced: An-ack-er. As this last name was likely derived from a Germanic personal name, it is likely that the idea of “being small” indicated a position of power, authority, and/or respect in society. Today, the name Anacker is a testament to the long and deep history of the Germanic peoples.
Order DNA origin analysisAnacker: Where does the name Anacker come from?
The Anacker surname is most common in German-speaking areas, particularly in southern Germany and the Alpine region. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland and some regions of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
In the United States, the Anacker name is rare, with fewer than 500 in the entire US. The largest concentrations are found in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Michigan.
Anacker is also found in other areas around the world, including Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and some parts of South America and Africa.
The Anacker name is derived from the Middle High German “anaac” (“open” or “open scan”) and the old Saxon “ancker” (“black or dark-colored soil”). Originally, it may have referred to an area of dark soil or a place with many open meadows.
Today, Anacker is a predominantly German surname with a few scattered cases around the globe. Despite its obscurity, it is still a proud family name to be passed down and shared with future generations.
Variations of the surname Anacker
Anacker is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the old German “ana” which means an eagle and “acker” which means field. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Anacker are Annacker, Anacon, Annake, Anake, Anahaul, Anahawk, Anahont, Anaheul, Anahat, Anahit, Anahle, Anahm, Anahme, Anahne, Anahpe, Anahua, Anahul, and Anahur. The spelling of Anahaul is most likely a result of a phonetic alteration; the original spelling being Anauel. It is also sometimes seen as Anhalt and Anhoff, which are derived from the German state Anhalt.
Anacker is found mainly in southern Germany, particularly in the region of Baden-Württemberg and in the city of Berlin. There is also a small presence of the surname in the United States and Canada, mostly among Mennonites and other German immigrants. The surname has been variously spelled over the years, beginning in the mid-1400s. Variants of the name include Anahang, Anahm, Anahme, Anahne, Anahpe, Anahua, Anahul, Anahur, Anahat, and Annacker.
The variants, spellings and surnames of Anacker suggest a long and varied history of people from a variety of German regions being linked by the same surname. As such, while the original meaning of the name still persists, it has taken on its own unique meanings and history.
Famous people with the name Anacker
- Andreas Anacker: German entrepreneur and start-up coach.
- Alexandra Anacker: American actress best known for her roles in television shows such as The Bold and The Beautiful and Criminal Minds.
- Melanie Anacker: Emeritus Professor of French and Women's Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
- Johann Christian Anacker: German composer mostly of church music.
- Christine Anacker: American environmental lawyer and co-Founder of the Center for Ecosystem Restoration.
- Jim Anacker: Former Vice President of Exploration at Southwest Gas Corporation.
- Arthur Anacker: German historian and theologian.
- Hubert Anacker: German figure skater who won a bronze medal in the 1936 European Championships.
- Heidi Anacker: American professional volleyball player and coach.
- Mayra Anacker: American fashion and lifestyle blogger.