Surname Blanke - Meaning and Origin
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Exploring the Roots: Unravelling the Tales of the Blanke Heritage Through DNA
The excavation of my family's past, focusing on the surname Blanke, through an iGENEA DNA test was a journey filled with revelations. From Viking and Germanic tribes to the displacements of the Sephardic Jews, the test vividly illustrated my ancestors' travels, culminating in rich, diverse European roots.
D. Blanke
read moreBlanke: What does the surname Blanke mean?
The last name Blanke is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word blanken, which means “to shine white.” It can also be derived from other German words such as blankenheimer or blankenmeister, which means “ranged fighter,” referring to a soldier.
The surname Blanke spread out to other parts of Europe in the medieval times, and today is a common surname in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and other parts of Northern Europe.
Blanke may also have a religious origin as it is also a Jewish surname derived from terms such as blankman or blankin, which means “pious.” This is likely due to the association of the color white with purity and holiness in some religious contexts.
The prevalence of the last name Blanke is due to the wide range of its geographical and cultural origins. It is a name that was adopted by numerous tribes across Europe, and throughout the centuries, has taken on different meanings. Blanke is a surname that continues to be a shared around the world as a testament to our globalized past and future.
Order DNA origin analysisBlanke: Where does the name Blanke come from?
The surname Blanke is of German origin. It is a topographical surname, originally given to someone who lived on or near a white hill. Today it is found frequently in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland. It is among one of the top ten surnames in Germany and also among the top 100 surnames in the Netherlands.
In the United States, the surname Blanke is the 5,288 most common surname with about 1,566 Americans bearing the surname, most of them found in California and Wisconsin. The surname likely arrived in the United States during the migration of German immigrants in the 19th century.
A few American citizens also bear the surname as descendants of German-Jewish immigrants who arrived in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. Most of these families can trace their lineage back to the city of Essen, Germany.
Lastly, the surname may also be found in Brazil, as thousands of German immigrants arrived in the country in the 19th century, taking with them the surname Blanke. Today, it is especially concentrated in the southern region of the country.
Variations of the surname Blanke
The surname Blanke is one of the most commonly found in Germany, as well as countries in Europe such as The Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland. It is also found in other parts of the world, such as North and South America.
The various spellings and variations of the surname Blanke are Blank, Blanck, Blancken, Blanch, Blanken, Blanker, Blankers, Blanquart, Blanquet, Blankert, Plank and Plancke.
In German, the surname would be spelled “Blanke”, whereas in Dutch it would be “Blanken”. In French, the surname would be “Blanquart”.
The surname Blanquet is derived from “blanca” which is the Latin word for “white”, and is likely linked to the old Germanic word “Blank”, meaning “white” or “shining”.
The surnames Plank and Plancke are derived from an old German word “Planken” which refers to a beam or board of wood. It is likely that those who were given the surname were involved in the production or sale of wood.
In Norway the surname appears as Blanken and Blanker, although the same origin is likely.
The most common variant of the Blanke surname is Blank.
Famous people with the name Blanke
- Bernd Blanke: Also known as Abaculus, Blanke is a German political cartoonist and author who has created some of the most iconic satirical illustrations in the world.
- Charles Blanke: American physician and oncologist with expertise in treating patients with gastrointestinal cancer, sarcoma, and melanoma.
- Petra Blanke: A German actress and singer best known for her role as Frau Walderbach in the TV series Alles Klara, as well as for singing the show’s theme song, “Weil ich deine Liebe kenne”.
- Plien Blanke: Dutch radio manager, entrepreneur, and television presenter, best known for her work in SBS6 and NOS.
- Robert Blanke: A Swiss politician and former member of the National Council from the canton of Zug, where he is President of the Council for Economic Affairs and Taxation.
- Christian Blanke: German actor and director, known for his role in the television shows “Schwarzwald” and “Der Teufel von Bachgau"
- Don Blanke: American lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist, particularly noted for his work with the refugee communities in the United States.
- David Blanke: German professional actor who has appeared in numerous television shows and films, including “Good Bye, Lenin!” and “Der große Bagarozy”.
- Kenneth Blanke: American businessman and CEO of Scripps Networks Interactive, the company behind the popular TV network Food Network.
- Lance Blanke: American cyclist who has won several national and international championships, including the Grand Tour of Switzerland and the Trans Am Bike Race.