Surname Berkey - Meaning and Origin
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Berkey: What does the surname Berkey mean?
The last name Berkey is derived from a German and English surname, which originated from the Middle English word 'berke' which meant 'birch tree'. It is believed to have been adopted as a surname by someone who lived near a birch tree or woodland clearing, or to have served as an occupational surname for a lumberjack.
The surname Berkey is quite ancient in origin, with records of the Beorch family in Yorkshire in 1177 and the Bereche family in Cambridgeshire in 1273. It is likely that many variants of the name have evolved over time, like Berky, Birchay, Bercke, Berkei, and Burk.
Berkeys have begun to appear in all parts of the world, having spread from their origins in England and Germany. In the United States, the name is particularly common in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Ohio.
The Berkey family is believed to be widely dispersed, suggesting an early migration from Europe. There is evidence of many Berkeys who emigrated to the United States in the early 19th century, likely in search of a better life.
Today, this last name is still a fairly common one, and Berkeys can be found in many parts of the world. They may have a long and varied history, but the name still proudly stands as a testament to the hard-working and pioneering people of old.
Order DNA origin analysisBerkey: Where does the name Berkey come from?
The last name Berkey is an anglicized spelling of a surname derived from the German language, specifically the Low German dialect. It is derived from the word “berke,” which translates to “birch tree.” As a surname, Berkey likely denoted a line of people who lived near a birch tree.
Today, the Berkey last name is most strongly associated with the northeastern United States, particularly Pennsylvania and Ohio. The Pennsylvania city of Berkey is named after the family, who early on were among the area's first settlers. It is likely that by extension, other family members spread throughout the region, particularly West Central Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The Berkey last name is also found in other American states, including New York, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri. Additionally, there are some instances of the surname in British Columbia, Canada.
The Berkey last name is one of the most common in the United States, with the most recent census findings reporting more than 11,000 members of the family in the country. As such, Berkey families tend to be found in several states throughout the country, though their presence appears to be most concentrated in the northeastern region.
Variations of the surname Berkey
The surname Berkey is of German origin and can have different variants, spellings, and surnames related to it. Variants of Berkey include Barki, Barlke, Baregge, Berky, Bruker, Berker, and Brucken. The surname is commonly found across Europe, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands.
Most commonly, Berkey is seen spelled as Berkey or Berkery. Spellings of the surname also include Barki, Barkay, Barkleys, Barke, Barki, Barkie, Barkey, Barkie, Barki, Barky, Barege, Barkege, Berkery, Berkh, Berki, Berkie, Berky, and Borkey.
Other surnames thought to have the same origin are Berckemeyer, Barck, Verkey, Verke, Verkie, and Verky. The Berke or Barki surname can be found among Ashkenazic Jews. The Barki surname is commonly found among Dutch Jews, originating as an adaptation of the original surname.
In the Netherlands, surnames including Berki, Berky, Berckemeyer, and Berck are all surnames derived from 'Berke'. Further, in Germany, surnames such as Brucken and Bruker are derived from the short form Bruk or Brook, meaning 'settlement on a brook'.
The various spellings and related surnames of Berkey are attributed to the common phenomenon of 'sound shifting'. This is when a pronunciation of a name is changed slightly, resulting in different spelling variations to form.
Famous people with the name Berkey
- Bret Berkey: American professional soccer player
- Neil Berkey: American painter
- Pam Berkey: American gospel group singer
- Jimmy Berkey: American former speedway rider
- Forrest Berkey: American oil and gas explorer
- Rev. Frederick Berkey: former president of the United Methodist Church
- Todd Berkey: U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran
- Lisa Berkey: American actress and television personality
- Josef Berkey: German production designer
- Rachel Berkey: American radio show host
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "Berkey"
17.01.2024
There's yet another really famous Berkey who needs to be added to that list. Charles Peter Berkey ref:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Peter_Berkey
This is how I got my name Peter. He was my great, great uncle and died a few years before my birth.