Surname Barkow - Meaning and Origin
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Barkow: What does the surname Barkow mean?
The last name Barkow is of German origin. It is a habitational name which is derived from the German town of Berchow located in the district of Demmin in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. This name is most likely a reference to the German word berk meaning ‘birch’, thus indicating that the original bearer of the name had likely undergone a settlement in the area of Berchow which was renowned for its birch trees.
As a result of this origin, Barkow is found mainly throughout Germany and its neighboring European countries. The earliest recorded presence of the name dates as far back as the 16th century when a description of a farm named “Berchow” was documented in the Prignitz district of Brandenburg in 1541. This farm was likely owned and operated by Barkow descendants.
The gradual spread of the Barkow name throughout Europe during the colonial period may have been a result of the family’s extensive involvement in the fur trade. This is apparent due to the frequent occurrence of the first name Barcus in Barkow-associated records and correspondence. Barcus is a version of the Latin word Marcus which means ‘commerce goods.’
Today the Barkow name is still most heavily concentrated within Germany, although it is found throughout the world. Regardless of location, the name still serves as a link to the family’s past and their ancestors' connection to the town of Berchow.
Order DNA origin analysisBarkow: Where does the name Barkow come from?
The last name Barkow is most commonly found in Germany. It is believed to have originated in northwest Germany and it is found mainly in Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It is also found in other parts of Europe such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. In the United States, the last name Barkow is found in many locations, including New York, California, Florida, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.
In Germany, the last name is spelled Barckow and is derived from the word Barkowe, described as an area of land where English people first settled in Germany. The name is associated with farmyards, village areas, and farmsteads.
The Barkow surname indicates that the original family was associated with agriculture or had a strong connection to farming. It is also believed that the name could have been derived from a proper noun, such as a place name or a nickname associated with the family.
Overall, the last name Barkow is an old surname dating back to the mid-1800s, and it is still relatively common today. Although it is most common in Germany, it has become popular in the United States and other parts of the world over the years.
Variations of the surname Barkow
The surname Barkow is derived from the Germanic word "bark", which means "birch tree". Variants of this surname include Barkow, Berchow, Berckow, Barkowic, Berechow, Berckowski, and Barkowicz. The Polish form of the name is Berka, while a simplified version of the name is Barc.
In the United States, variants of the surname include Berkaw, Bark, Barco, Barcon, Barcow, Barca, Barkelow, Barkley, Berlin, Barckow, Berkaw, and Berkeley. There are also many foreign variants of the surname such as Bercow (England) and Barkou (Greek).
When the Barkow surname is seen with a double consonant, such as Barkkow or Barkowski, this is often the result of a phonetic interpretation of the original Barkow. In the United States and Canada, this surname is particularly common among Mennonite and Amish populations.
In addition to the variants listed above, the Barkow surname can also appear with various spellings and suffixes, such as Barkowski, Barkowy, Barczyk, Barczuk, and Barkovich. These are usually adopted as a means of expressing different regional and cultural roots.
Overall, the Barkow surname is derived from the Germanic word "bark", which means "birch tree", and its variants and derivatives are very common in many countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Barkow
- Wolfram Barkow: Wolfram Barkow is a German philosopher and professor emeritus at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF) at the University of Bielefeld. He is known for his work on philosophical anthropology, and has published extensively on the concept of rationality and the politics of rationality.
- Rachel Barkow: Rachel Barkow is the Segal Family Professor of Regulatory Law and Policy at New York University School of Law. She is an expert on federal criminal law, the death penalty, sentencing, and executive power.
- Kim Barkow: Kim Barkow is an American celebrity psychologist who appears on television and radio. She specializes in psychological and physiological theories associated with health, parenting, relationships, and self-improvement.
- Barry Barkow: Barry Barkow is an award-winning commercial and music video director and photographer. He is known for his unique and creative visual style, and his work has been featured in magazines and other publications around the world.
- Carl Barkow: Carl Barkow is a German historian and professor at the Munich-based Ludwig Maximilian University. He specializes in the history of political thought and the history of ideas, and his work has centered around the German Reformation.