Surname Brocke - Meaning and Origin
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Brocke: What does the surname Brocke mean?
The surname Brocke is a German and Dutch patronymic surname, which is derived from the Middle Low German word 'brok' meaning 'badger' or 'fur', indicating that the original bearer of this surname was an animal furrier, or someone who hunted or handled badgers. It is believed that the name was created based on the person's occupation.
In some cases, the surname may have been used to refer to a herb gatherer, which was another trade carried out in antiquity. It is believed that the Brocke family originally migrated to the Rhineland area of Germany, currently the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where the surname is most commonly found.
The Brocke surname can also be found in ethnic German communities living in Poland, the Czech Republic, countries of the former Yugoslavia, and Finland. The highest concentration of the surname is still located in Germany, with several hundred bearers of the Brocke surname living there today.
As with many German surnames, the Brocke surname is associated with strength, a hardworking nature, being determined, and a strong sense of justice.
Order DNA origin analysisBrocke: Where does the name Brocke come from?
The last name Brocke is most commonly found in Germany today. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "broche" meaning "monastery". It first appears in Germany in the 1500s, making it fairly old. The name is more common in the northern region of Germany, however it can be found in areas in the Central and Southern Germany as well. It has also spread to Europe, the United States, and even as far as Canada.
According to records from the Social Security Administration of the U.S., the last name Brocke was the 24,505th most common name used in the States between July 2019 and July 2020.
In Germany more specifically, the last name Brocke is among one of the 2000th most common surnames. The region boasting the highest concentration of Brocke’s is Hamburg. This is followed by a variety of surrounding regions as well.
The last name Brocke is a testament to the deep history of Germany. It is popular among Germans and those of German descent to this day, and is sure to remain popular for years to come.
Variations of the surname Brocke
The surname Brocke (or Broke) is a surname of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word 'broca', which means badger. Historically, the name was often used by one who works with badgers or who lives near a place where badgers could be found.
Variations of the surname Brocke include Brock, Brok, Broke, Brookes, Brook, Brooke, Brooker, and Brookhouse. It is also sometimes spelled as Broc, Brocas, and Brocks. It is often seen combined with other surnames, such as Brockman or Brockstone.
In some cases, the variants of Brocke are thought to have regional variant spellings. For instance, the variant Broc appears to be commonly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The surname Brocke is also sometimes used interchangeably with other surnames of similar origin, such as Brockman, Brocklehurst or Brackenburgh.
In popular culture, the 10th Century Viking-descended Danish nobleman, Baron Axel de Brokke, is perhaps the most recognisable individual associated with the surname. The Baron was a common figure in some 19th-century European literature and is known to have served both his local Danish lord and various French kings, such as Louis XIII and Louis XIV.
Famous people with the name Brocke
- Karsten Brocke; a German music producer and DJ
- Elly D. Brocke; a German actress
- Bill Brocke; an American television personality
- Léon Brocke; a French cinematographer
- Günther Brocke; an Austrian actor
- Elin Brocke; a Swedish actress
- Isabelle Brocke; a French actress
- Jan Brocke; a Dutch sculptor
- Jascha Brocke; a German painter
- Robert Brocke; a French military officer
- Constanze Brocke; a German figure skater
- Armand A. Brocke; a Belgian lawyer
- Friederike Brocke; a German biathlete
- Jean-Paul Brocke; a Belgian professional football coach
- Ewald Brocke; a German World War II flying ace
- Sophie Brocke; a Dutch physicist
- Kay Brocke; a German alpine skier
- Tatjana Brocke; a German field hockey player
- Wolfgang Brocke; a German operatic tenor
- Igor Brocke; a Belgian film director and producer