Surname Ancke - Meaning and Origin

Ancke: What does the surname Ancke mean?

The last name Ancke is a German surname of some antiquity. Etymologically, the word is derived from the Old German "anko" which means a geographic landmark – or, more specifically, an angle. Thus, the name might originally have referred to the inhabitant of a dwelling situated at a particular corner or angle of a road, path or field. Alternatively, it may also have been used by someone belonging to a certain corner of a region or even a specific profession associated with artifacts or documents which use the form “anker” – i.e. seals or stamps, given the Old German verb “ankern” meaning to stamp or to seal.

The word “Ancke” is also found as a variant of the similarly named "Anke" which has a link to the given name Anna, and thus is thought to have been used as a short way of denoting an Anna surname. Additionally, in its various forms including Ankne, Ancel and Anselm, the surname is also of Old German origin and references an Old German personal name “Anshelm”, which literally means ‘protected/helmet/head’ imported from the Old German “ans = helmet, head”.

Though there is much debate over the exact origins of given names, it is thought that the Ancke surname is of relatively ancient origin and was used as a name for a wide variety of professions and geographic locations, even outside of Germany. In the present day, it remains a popular name in the German-speaking world, with around 1,000 people bearing the name in Germany alone.

Ancke: Where does the name Ancke come from?

The Ancke surname is most commonly found in Germany today. It is an old Germanic name that dates back to the Middle Ages, likely originating around the County of Anhalt in central Germany. It was most likely formed as a patronymic name derived from a personal name—such as Ancke, Anckel, or Anko—meaning “worthy of great respect” or “noble.” Today, Ancke is still a common surname throughout Germany, although the modern spelling has been slightly altered.

Ancke is also popular in the Netherlands, having been adopted by Dutch settlers in the 16th century. In 2005, the population of Anckes in the Netherlands was estimated to be around 22,500, suggesting a572 widespread diaspora throughout the region. The name has also spread globally, as many Anckes have emigrated to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa in search of better opportunities.

In the US, many of these settlers changed the spelling of their name to Anke, but the original German spelling still remains ancke. According to an analysis by the US Census in 2020, the Ancke surname is most common in the states of California, New York, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, as well as many other parts of the country. This naming trend suggests that descendants of the original German Anckes have found success in every corner of the United States, thus making Ancke a universal surname.

Variations of the surname Ancke

The surname Ancke is believed to have originated in Northern Germany and is of German origin. It is believed to have been derived from the given name Anke or Ankele, which could also refer to an ancestor's occupation, such as a worker at an anchor.

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Ancke include the following:

• Ancke

• Anckel

• Anke

• Ank

• Ankle

• Ankele

• Ancken

• Anker

• Ankor

• Ankels

• Ancker

• Ancken

• Ankert

• Ankel

• Ankemeyer

• Anckelmann

• Ankermann

• Ankermeyer

• Anch

• Anche

• Anneke

• Annke

• Ankelsberg

• Anckers

• Ankemi

• Anckner

• Ankerman

• Ankelmann

• Ancle

• Ankleman.

Variants of the surname Ancke can be found in many parts of the world, including Germany, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the United States and Canada.

It is useful to research the origin of a particular surname to try to determine its meaning and history. Knowing the variants, spellings and similar surnames of the same origin as a particular surname can give you a better understanding of its history.

Famous people with the name Ancke

• Georg Ancke: German philosopher and psychologist.
• Hendrik Ancke: German captain of the merchant marine.
• Enno Ancke: German general in World War II.
• Martin Ancke: German general in World War II.
• Georg Ancke Jr.: German diplomat and writer.
• Karla Ancke: German actor.
• Herman Ancke: German politician and minister.
• Sile Freiwald Ancke: German goldsmith and silversmith.
• Friedrich Ancke: German sculptor.
• Friedrich Ancke Jr.: German astronomer and engineer.
• Johann Friedrich Ancke: German theologian.
• Johann Gustav Ancke: German poet and author.
• Abraham Ancke: German painter.
• Carl Ancke: German physician and pathologist.
• Julius Ancke: German banker and entrepreneur.
• Johannes Ancke: German Lutheran theologian and writer.
• Werner Ancke: German Olympic rower.
• Luise Ancke: German ecologist and environmentalist.

Other surnames

AnckerAnckerholdt