Surname Beukes - Meaning and Origin

Beukes: What does the surname Beukes mean?

The last name Beukes is a Dutch or Frisian name with Germanic origins. It is believed to have derived from the Old Germanic “buku,” meaning “beech,” and “bukko” meaning “shepherd.” This indicates that the original bearer of the name was likely someone who owned or lived near a beech wood or possibly was a shepherd with a flock of sheep. The surname Beukes is also often associated with the Dutch word “buks,” meaning “stream.”

In its current form, the name is most common in Dutch-speaking countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium. It is also present in countries with significant Dutch influences such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

Beukes appears to have been in use as a family name since medieval times, with the earliest known recorded reference dating back to 1383 in the town of Haerlem in the Netherlands. It is also found in the Dutch colony of Suriname established by the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Beukes has since spread all over the world, becoming a common surname in many countries with Dutch influences. Those with the surname Beukes can be found in the records of the Dutch East India Company, which traded around the world in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as in passenger lists of important ships of the era.

The name Beukes still carries its original meanings of beech wood, shepherding, and streams. Those with the surname are sometimes referred to as "Beuken," meaning “people of the beech.”

Beukes: Where does the name Beukes come from?

The last name Beukes is of South African origin and is most common in that country today. The Beukes name is primarily found in the province of Limpopo, specifically the region known as the Capricorn District. This area is positioned along the northernmost boundary with Zimbabwe and Botswana and stretches from Polokwane, through Tzaneen and on to the border with Mozambique. It is also found in the Western Cape provinces, Gauteng, and Free State.

The surname is believed to be descended from the Dutch settlers in the area, who arrived in the Cape from around the 16th century onwards. During this era, many of the Dutch settlers adopted last names based on the places where they settled and the Beukes surname originates from the village of Boke in Limpopo.

Beukes is mainly found in the Limpopo and Western Cape Provinces, although occurrences of the name can be found across other parts of the country.

The name is also found in countries throughout the world, particularly among the descendants of the original Dutch settlers in the Cape. These countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Beukes

The surname Beukes is an Afrikaans patronymic surname, derived from an ancestor’s personal name, Buuk. Variants of the surname Beukes include Beucke, Beuke, Beuker, Beukers, Beukesz, and Beukesen. The most common alternate surnames of the same origin include the Dutch spelling Buik, Buike, Buiker, Buikers, Buijs, Buikman, Bjuik, Bouck and Bouwke.

The earliest use of the surname Beukes can be traced back to 1613 in Amsterdam. It has since become a popular last name among Afrikaners. In South Africa, it is the 170th most common surname. In the Netherlands, the related spelling of Buik is the 71st most common surname and is mostly found in the regions of Noord-Holland and Zeeland.

The name Beukes holds significant meaning within the Afrikaans culture. The literal translation means ‘The son of Buuk’. It is used to indicate noble descent and comes from the Dutch word 'buik' which means ‘belly’ or ‘stomach’. It is believed that Buuk was one of the early Dutch settlers of the region and his descendants took the surname Beukes to honour his name.

Beukes is a surname with a rich and vibrant history. Its variants trace back to several countries and regions around the world, providing an insight into the evolution of the surname and the original bearer. Despite its changing spellings and variations, it remains a popular surname in both South Africa and the Netherlands.

Famous people with the name Beukes

• Lauren Beukes: Author, Screenwriter, and Comic Book Writer
• Francois Beukes: former South African Olympic Sprinter
• Peter Beukes: Artist
• Mpho Beukes: South African Track and Field Athlete
• Alexander Beukes: Professional Basketball Player
• Dianne Beukes: South African Soap Opera actress
• Marthinus Beukes: Former South African Politician
• Erna Beukes: former South African Swimming Champion
• Sebastian Beukes: Author and Entrepreneur
• Wynand Beukes: South African Rugby Player

Other surnames

BeukeBeuker