Surname Bonke - Meaning and Origin
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Bonke: What does the surname Bonke mean?
The last name Bonke has Germanic roots. The name is derived from the Middle High German words 'bank' and 'bonke', which translates to 'bench', and has been an occupational surname referring to people whose job was to craft benches for sitting and other purposes. Examples of records from the Middle Ages show that a person with the last name Bonke was a carpenter, and over time, the name has become associated with the craft of carpentry.
The last name Bonke may also have a second origin derived from the Old German word 'Bunco', which translates to ‘a small hill’. This was an attributed form of a toponymic surname, which was a name used to identify individuals who were from a particular location or had a strong connection to a particular area.
Today Bonke is a very common German surname, and as the population of Germanic roots continues to grow, its popularity and reach continues to expand. The name Bonke is a reminder of the craftsmanship of carpentry, as well as an unwavering connection to the history and culture of Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisBonke: Where does the name Bonke come from?
The last name Bonke is most commonly found in Germany, Scandanavia, and the United States.
In Germany, Bonke is a relatively common surname which originated in the northeastern German states such as Brandenburg and Saxony. It was used in the past as a patronymic to identify people whose ancestors either lived in, or were associated with, small towns or villages in these areas. The surname is still fairly widespread in Germany and can be found in most major cities.
In Scandinavia, Bonke is most commonly found in Sweden and Denmark. It appeared in Sweden in the 1600s, while it is believed to have first appeared in Denmark in the 17th century. The name is still used in both countries and is fairly widespread.
In the United States, Bonke is a much less common last name, but can still be found in various parts of the country. It is believed to have arrived in the country during the 19th century with German immigrants. As of 2020, according to the US Census Bureau, there were an estimated 515 people with the last name Bonke living in the US.
Variations of the surname Bonke
The surname Bonke has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant spellings of the surname Bonke are Bonk, Boncke, Bonke, Bonk, Bones, Bonks, Bonke, Bonchke, Bancke, Bank, Bancks, and Bonkovich. Other variants of the surname Bonke include Boncki, Baneke, Bainke, Banck, Benke, Benk, Bauke, Beck, Borneke, Boenke, Boernke, and Burgke.
The surname Bonke originated from a German habitational or topographical name, derived from a place called Bonk in Thuringia, Germany. The topographical name was introduced to other regions when migrants or settlers carrying the surname Bonke moved to the area. The surname may also have arisen from a nickname, from the old German word bunken, which meant 'a pounder' or 'to pound'.
The Bonke surname is primarily found in Germany and the United States. It is also found in other countries such as The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Latvia as a result of migration. Variants of the surname Bonke are spread across the world. In the United States, for example, the variant spelling Bones is particularly common.
In summary, the surname Bonke has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The surname originated from a German habitational name or a nickname and is common throughout Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Latvia, and the US. Its variants can be found across the world.
Famous people with the name Bonke
- Malte Bonke: German-Danish rower who competed for Germany in the men's single sculls at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
- Jakob Bonke: Danish mathematician, who studied the Bombieri–Vinogradov theorem.
- Mikel Bonke: German Visual Artist known for his work with neon and mirror foil installations.
- Else Bonke: Danish teacher and leader of the girls' suffrage movement in the early 20th century.
- Ramona Bonke-Čaušević: Minister of Health in Croatia from 1990 to 1993, and first female minister in Croatia.
- Elena Bonke: Skilled painter from Germany, sister of Mikel Bonke.
- Nikolaj Bonke: Danish professional golfer, currently playing on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour.
- Arne Andreas Bonke: Former GDR politician and Minister of Construction from 1963 to 1968.
- Nils Søndergaard Bonke: Danish rower, who competed at the 1928 Summer Olympics and placed fourth in the men's single sculls.
- Ralf Bonke: German flatwater canoeist who competed in the late 1980s and the early 1990s.
- Hans Wilhelm Bonke: German piano teacher and founder of the Akademie für Tonkunst, or Academy of Music in Munich.
- Anja Bonke-Clausen: Danish photographer, active in the late 17th century and early 18th century.
- Christian Bonke Wadle: German physicist, famous for his studies on magnetism and electrical phenomena.
- Frédéric Bonke: French composer of the 19th century, who wrote numerous piano pieces and symphonies.
- Antonio Bonke: Portuguese artist, active in the late 18th century, and official court painter to King John VI of Portugal.