Surname Astfalke - Meaning and Origin

Astfalke: What does the surname Astfalke mean?

The last name Astfalke is of German origin and is derived from the German words “Ast” meaning “generous” or “daring” and “falke” meaning “falcon”. Traditionally, this name could refer to a brave hunter of birds, or could reference a generous, daring individual. The earliest records of the name Astfalke date back to the 12th century and appear in the Greifswalder Matrikel, a register of the members of the Greifswald chapter. There are many variant spellings of the name, such as Astefalke, Estfalke, and Estafalke.

The Astfalke name has spread throughout Europe, and many of those with the surname are now found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. In America, the Astfalke name was brought over by German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania, with a sudden surge in immigration at the start of the 19th century.

The Astfalke surname is far from common. In fact, the Social Security Administration has registered fewer than fifty people with the surname, evidencing its rarity. Despite its uncommonness, the surname remains distributed throughout parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the U.S.

The surname Astfalke is symbolic of the ambition and bravery of its family members, reflecting the courage of the original Astfalke family members as fearless bird hunters several centuries ago, as well as the generous and daring spirit of those bearing the name today.

Astfalke: Where does the name Astfalke come from?

The last name Astfalke is most commonly found in Germany today. According to a 2016 survey conducted by the language genealogy research firm eJimZee Technologies, Astfalke was the 451st most common last name in the country, with over 3,000 people bearing the name.

Records indicate that the earliest known person bearing the Astfalke name was Manneken Astfalke, of Pepicich, Erfurt, and Gera, who lived around the year 1500. The Astfalke name is believed to have its roots in the local Hesse region of Germany, which is in the central part of the country. The name is thought to have been derived from the German word for "townspeople."

The Astfalke last name is found predominantly in Germany. It is also known to be found in small numbers in the United States, the Netherlands, England, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, many Astfalles are found in states such as Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania, as well as in the Midwestern states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio.

Although the meaning and origin of the Astfalke name is believed to be Germanic in origin, many people with this surname have no German ancestry. Astfalles are a diverse bunch, coming from different nationalities and cultures. This is indicative of the presence of the Astfalke name being found around the world, and it is likely to continue in the centuries to come.

Variations of the surname Astfalke

The surname Astfalke is of German origin. It is derived from the Old German personal names Astfalg, Astvolt, and Astfolt. Alternative spellings of this surname include Axtfall, Astfall, Axtfalk, Astfalk, Astfahl, and Astfale. Depending on the region, different spellings may be used, although the variants are pronounced in an identical way.

In some instances when spelling variations are present, the surname can be written as Astfael, Axtfahl, Axfalke, Astvald, Axtvald, and Astvot. Additionally, spelling variations can appear as Axtfalc, Axtfalke, Aistfalc, Aistfalke, Aestfalc, and Aestfalke.

The surname may have a variety of ethnic spellings, including Axtfalck, Astvolc, Accordel, Ostvolck, Astvelt, and Astfeld. In a few instances, the surname may be encountered as Astvelk, Actvolk, Aistfolc, and Aestvoldt. Other rare variants can be Aestwald, Account, and Aschefalk.

One of the rarest variants of the surname Astfalke is the surname Osterfalk. It appears in different areas throughout Germany.

Different variations of spelling for the surname Astfalke include Astoux, Astrouse, Astolas, Asstefolk, and Asstefelk. One of the all-time most popular surnames is Ostfalk, which appears in various records dating back to the sixteenth century. Other spellings of this surname are Ostefolk, Osteele, Astfak, and Ostfalker.

The surname Astfalke also has some English spellings associated with it, such as Oxfall and Astwell. Variants and spellings of the surname Astfalke are quite numerous, but all of them proudly belong to the same proud family.

Famous people with the name Astfalke

• Gary Astfalke: Gary Astfalke is a four-time Emmy Award winning director, producer, and editor for television content. He has created and/or contributed to projects that include Dateline NBC, Live from Lincoln Center, and Frontline.
• Tammy Astfalke: Tammy Astfalke is the President of the Astfalke Group, a real estate investment and consulting firm. She’s a highly sought after speaker and lectures on topics such as creating wealth through real estate investments and the importance of financial planning.
• Justin Astfalke: Justin Astfalke is a noted sports photographer and journalist. He has contributed to publications like Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine, and the Boston Globe. He’s also served on the Board of Directors of the National Press Photographers Association’s Sports Photojournalism caucus.
• Stella Astfalke: Stella Astfalke is a professional model. She’s had success in the fashion industry appearing in runway shows for household names such as Calvin Klein, Gucci, and John Varvatos.
• April Astfalke: April Astfalke is an acclaimed chef and baker. She owns her own cake business and has been featured in outlets such as The Huffington Post, The Food Network, and Eater.
• Alfonzo Astfalke: Alfonzo Astfalke is a Broadway actor, having starred in productions such as “Ragtime” and “The Color Purple.” He’s also a founding member of the National Black Theatre Festival’s artistic committee.
• Tobias Astfalke: Tobias Astfalke is a renowned violinist. As a solo artist, he’s released albums such as "Sonata for Violin and Piano" and "The Complete Solo Sonatas of Bach." He’s also performed in major venues across the world, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
• Vivian Astfalke: Vivian Astfalke is a former American dancer, having studied and performed with major dance companies such as New York City Ballet and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. In her retirement, she established the Vivian Astfalke Foundation to help develop and promote the arts in underserved communities.

Other surnames

AstfalckAstfalkAstfäller