Surname Boencke - Meaning and Origin
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Boencke: What does the surname Boencke mean?
The surname Boencke originated from a region in northern Germany, now known as the Prussian province of Pomerania. The name is derived from a geographic feature probably associated with it, a "Böhnke" or "Boienke" which is an old German word for a "swampy terrain". Throughout the centuries, many of these families lived in the same region and would have eventually adopted the surname of Boencke.
The Boenckes are a family that still remains today, though the population has decreased significantly over time. The family is predominantly concentrated in modern-day Germany, with some branches in other countries such as the United States.
The Boencke family is thought to have first come to prominence in the late 17th century in Northern Germany, where they held positions of local power, influence and prominence. This is when the family first started to take on the surname "Boencke". Throughout the centuries, the Boenckes have provided more than their fair share of political, artistic, and academic leaders.
The Boenckes are generally a proud family with a long history of success and achievement. The name has been associated with countless accomplishments over the centuries, and in spite of hard times and changes, the family remains close-knit and strongly connected.
Today, the Boencke name serves as a reminder of a long and proud family history and the many accomplishments of its members. The Boenckes continue to enjoy success, recognition and community and now have an even greater ability to connect back with their distant family members in other parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisBoencke: Where does the name Boencke come from?
The last name Boencke is most commonly found today in Germany and Scandinavia.
The Boencke surname is of German origin and is thought to be derived from the Old German word ‘banco’ meaning ‘ridge’ or ‘edge’, suggesting the surname may have referred to someone living on the edge of a ridge.
The earliest records of the Boencke surname date back to the 13th century when several members of the family were land owners in the Hanover area of Germany. By the 17th century, many Boencke families had moved away from the Hanover area and across other regions of Germany.
Today, the Boencke surname is most common in northern Germany, including parts of Bavaria, Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Lower Saxony. It is also relatively common in Scandinavia, particularly Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
In the US, the Boencke surname is not especially popular. The most recent census data from 2010 showed that there were only 20 people with the last name Boencke living in the United States - the majority living in New York, Florida, California, and Pennsylvania.
Given the low numbers in the US, the Boencke surname is most common today in Germany and Scandinavia.
Variations of the surname Boencke
The surname Boencke is a variant of the German surname Böncke, which is derived from the Middle High German term bunc, meaning "trout". Boencke originates from the eastern parts of Germany, with its earliest recorded use in 1710.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of Boencke include Bönke, Boncke, Böncke, Buncke, Boenke, Bonecke, Buncken, Büncke, Bünke, and Bunke. Boencke is known to have many variants in its spelling, which is typical for many German surnames.
Bonke is a Polish variant of the Boencke surname. It is derived from the Polish spelling Bączek, which is a form of the German name. It is also used as a surname among other eastern European nations such as Belarus, Lithuania, and Ukraine.
Bönke is a Dutch variant of Boencke, though it only exists in the Netherlands. The Dutch spelling of the name is an adaptation of the German name with an added "ö" character.
The Danish variant of Boencke is Bunke. This is a fairly common surname in Denmark and it is believed to be derived from the name Böncke.
Buncke is a traditional Scottish variant of Boencke. It is commonly spelled Bunke in Scotland and Northern England. It is believed that this version of the surname was derived from the Old English spelling of the name, Bunc.
Overall, the surname Boencke has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames across many nations. These variants illustrate the unique origins of the surname and the regions in which it has been used over the years.
Famous people with the name Boencke
- William Boencke: William Boencke (1815-1885) was an art collector, civic leader, and banker from Frankfurt, Germany. He was a major donor to the Städel Museum, a museum of fine arts in Frankfurt, and his collection is now displayed there.
- Amandus Boencke: Amandus Boencke (1837-1908) was a German painter and architectural draftsman in the Saxon romanticism style. He is known for his atmospheric paintings of landscapes and cityscapes.
- August Boencke: August Boencke (1842-1911) was a German architect, particularly active in Berlin. He designed the Arcadenbrücke over the Kleine Spree, now part of the city's Spreebogen Park.
- Erika Boencke: Erika Boencke (1903-1985) was a German-American poet, editor, translator, playwright, and author of short stories and historical novels. She was part of the literary and artistic community in New York in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Cicely Boencke: Cicely Boencke (1909-1996) was a German politician and civic leader in Frankfurt during the 1980s and early 1990s. She was active in promoting sustainable urban development and social inclusion in the city.
- Horst Boencke: Horst Boencke (1921-2010) was a German architect and urban planner. He was involved in numerous projects in Frankfurt over the course of five decades, and was known for his modernist designs.