Surname Brottke - Meaning and Origin

Brottke: What does the surname Brottke mean?

The last name Brottke is a German surname. It is derived from the Middle High German word “broch”, meaning a fortress or fortification. The surname is also associated with the Old German word “brot”, meaning bread. This could indicate that either the first Brottke ancestor came from a fortified city, or that they worked as a baker.

The surname Brottke is one of the rarest surnames in Germany. Even today, there are only a few hundred individuals with this name. This could point to how ancient the surname is.

Brottke is a common name among the Germans that settled in North America during the 18th and 19th centuries. In the United States, the largest concentration of Brottke’s is in the state of Wisconsin. Since the mid-19th century, the name has been quite prevalent in the Midwestern states.

The Brottke’s who came to America assimilated quickly into their new culture. Although their traditional German heritage was an important part of their identity, many proudly adopted the ways of their new homeland.

The Brottke’s have been in North America for about two centuries now, but they still remember their roots. Even today, the name Brottke is a source of pride for those who carry it, and it remains a link to their German ancestry.

Brottke: Where does the name Brottke come from?

The last name Brottke is most common in Germany today, where it is among the top 250 most common surnames. It is most prevalent in North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is ranked 9th, and can also be found in Lower Saxony and Bavaria. Brottke is also found in other European countries, such as Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. Outside of Europe, it is present in Australia and the United States. In the US, the surname is ranked as the 8,242nd most common name, and records indicate that it is mostly present in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and New Jersey.

The origin of the surname stems from northeast Germany, where it is linked both to the Old Norse and Old German word ‘brok’ meaning badger. In its various forms – Brodke, Brakke, Bröcküdsen, etc. – the name was initially used as a nickname for ‘little badger’. It was then passed on from generation to generation, becoming a permanent surname to distinguish certain families.

The most documented spelling of the Brottke surname is found in the North German region of the Mecklenburg area. However, the surname is also present in its various scattered forms throughout the northern and western parts of Germany, indicating that the name’s spread is likely due to migration. Formal records show that the first documented use of the Brottke surname occurred in the mid 15th century.

Variations of the surname Brottke

The surname "Brottke" has a few alternations and spellings that all stem from the same origin. It may be seen as "Bröttke," "Brautke," "Pröttke," "Prottke," "Brattke," "Brotke," "Brotte," "Broteke," "Brothene," "Bröten," and "Brotteg" as well.

"Brottke" is a habitational name from any of numerous places in northern Germany, all of which were named with the Low German element, "brot," meaning a swamp or pool. These places are now located in northwestern Germany, near the Netherlands and Poland.

The surname "Brottke" is found on many census records in Germany and is likely to be found in countries adjacent to this area such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Danube region of Austria. While the –e at the end of the name is the most common, the –ke variant can also be found in records.

In North America, the surname is more likely to be spelled "Bröttke" or "Brattke," though "Brotke," "Broteke" and "Brothene" are also possible variants.

The same name also has many variants in spelling and surname, such as "Prottke," "Pröttke," "Brotten," "Brotte," "Brotteg," and "Brautke." It is still unknown if all of these variants are related, but some families have used multiple variations when researching their family tree.

Overall, the surname "Brottke" is an ancient German name that is found in many places today, both in Europe and North America. Its variants and alternate spellings have helped it remain popular and can often lead to new family branches when researching one's family tree.

Famous people with the name Brottke

• Michael Brottke: German football goalkeeper.
• Anna Brottke: German fashion designer and TV presenter.
• Diane Brottke: German author and illustrator.
• Silke Brottke: German discus thrower, Olympic silver medallist.
• Helmut Brottke: German World War II pilot and fighter ace. 6.Edward Brottke: American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient.
• Johanna Brottke: German public relations and media expert.
• Robert Brottke: German physicist and physicist of complex systems.
• Reinhard Brottke: German theologian and professor of philosophy of religion.
• Irwin Brottke: German sculptor and painter.
• Peter Brottke: German tenor and opera singer.
• Kathleen Brottke: German professional acoustic guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
• Lutz Brottke: German composer and musicologist.
• Uwe Brottke: German athlete and World Sprint Double silver medallist.
• Jamie Brottke: American tennis player.
• Georg Brottke: German opera and musical theatre composer.
• Maria Brottke: German politician and Member of the Bundestag.
• Klaus Brottke: German Olympic medallist in sailing.
• Sebastian Brottke: German director, producer and cinematographer.
• Frank Brottke: German doctor and professor of medicine.

Other surnames

BrottBrotteBrottka