Surname Bennke - Meaning and Origin
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Bennke: What does the surname Bennke mean?
The last name Bennke is a German surname that is derived from the personal name Benno. This name is derived from the Germanic word "bannan," meaning "to summon." In the Middle Ages, Benno was a popular name in the German-speaking region, likely taken from the Latin version of the name, Benedictus, meaning "blessed."
Bennke is a patronymic surname that means “son of Benno.” Patronymic surnames were adopted by many families during the Middle Ages as a way to differentiate between people with the same given name.
The Bennke surname can be found in other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark, along with the United States. In the United States, the Bennke surname is predominantly found in states such as Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, which have large German-speaking populations.
Today, the Bennkes are a family of many varied professions, ranging from politicians and lawyers to teachers, engineers, and artists.
Although the meaning and origin of the last name Bennke is unknown, the origins of the associated given name, Benno, give insight into the influential value the name likely had in the German-speaking region, and the impact it had on the spread of the Bennke surname throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBennke: Where does the name Bennke come from?
The last name Bennke is most commonly found in Germany and many other countries in the German-speaking world, including Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. In the United States, the surname is relatively uncommon; according to the US Census, it was the 5,530th most common surname in 2018 and is found mainly in the states of Missouri, Arkansas, and North Dakota. In Germany, the surname is far more common; in fact the population research portal Genealogienetz.de lists it as the 1,713th most common name in Germany.
The origin of the Bennke surname is believed to derive from the Middle Low German word “bink” meaning “stream”. The name likely first arose in areas near streams as an occupational surname applied to people who worked near these streams, either as fishermen or for barges employed to ferry goods such as timber, coal and grain. Over the years, the population bearing this surname has steadily grown. Today Bennke is one of the most common surnames found in Germany and the German-speaking countries, with an estimated 2,011 people living with that name.
Variations of the surname Bennke
The surname Bennke is derived from the Germanic first name "Bennec" which evolved from the Proto-Germanic "Berna" meaning "bear". It is an uncommon surname, but it has several different spellings and variations.
The base spelling of the surname Bennke is also seen as Benke, Benneke, Benneck, Bennecke, Bennke, Bennecken, Benning, Benken, Benn, Benninck, Benincke, Bennis, Bennicke, Benninger, Benecke, Bennick, and Bennicke.
The surname Bennke is not widely encountered outside of German-speaking populations. However, variants of the surname can also be found among Dutch, Danish, and other Scandinavian people who originate from the area around the North or Baltic Sea.
Additionally, the surname Bennke can also be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa which were settled partially by German-speaking settlers. It can also be Anglicized into other versions such as Benk, Benck, Bonk, Bunke, Bonke, Bunck, Bunk, Baneke, Bannkin, Benkins, Benkin, Benkinen, Bannick, Bannecke, Banneken, or Bhenck.
Overall, the surname Bennke is an uncommon one, but its popularity is widely spread across different native German-speaking populations as well as those who left their homeland and settled in different countries.
Famous people with the name Bennke
- Ryan Bennke: Actor and producer on the TV series, Chicago P.D.
- Kevin Bennke: Actor in the movie Spy Game.
- Pål Bennke: Norwegian jazz drummer.
- Karen Bennke: Brazilian-born, German singer-songwriter.
- Anders Bennke: Swedish comedian, actor, director and writer.
- Charlie Bennke: American professional basketball player.
- Corey Bennke: Australian professional soccer player.
- Sebastian Bennke: German football player.
- Richard Bennke: German historian and writer.
- Coleen Bennke: German-born American swimmer.