Surname Enke - Meaning and Origin

Enke: What does the surname Enke mean?

The last name Enke is an occupational name derived from the German word ‘Enge’ or ‘Anger’, which originally meant a meadow or piece of land, usually located on the boundary of two larger pieces of land. Over time, this term began to be used to refer to farming families, and eventually was given to those individuals as a hereditary surname. The name Enke, then, identifies a family whose ancestors were likely farmers.

In more modern times, the name Enke has become associated with a variety of other professions, ranging from banking to engineering. The name is still relatively common in Germany, and Enke families can be found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Those living in the United States typically had relatives who emigrated from Germany in the late 19th century or early 20th century, while Enkes living in Canada and Australia typically have more recent family ties to Germany.

Overall, the Enke last name is a well-known and distinctive surname, that is rich in heritage and represents hard-working families with strong family ties. It’s an occupational name that has come to have a variety of meanings, from farmers to engineers, representing the long and varied historic background of its many bearers.

Enke: Where does the name Enke come from?

The last name Enke is of German origin and is commonly found today in Germany, other parts of Europe, and in the United States. It is primarily a surname found in the areas of the former German Empire in which German people settled migratory paths. In Germany, it is most commonly found in the western and southern regions of the country, with the highest concentrations of the name found in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Bavaria.

The Enke surname is less common in other parts of Europe where German people migrated, though a large number of Enkes are found in Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria. In the United States, the name is particularly common among the Pennsylvania Dutch population and among German-American communities in the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio.

There is also a notable presence of the surname Enke in countries with German expatriate communities, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. Throughout all locations, the prevalence of the Enke surname has seen a declining trend as the generations of German immigrants decline and migratory paths shift to new regions.

Variations of the surname Enke

The surname Enke has a variety of different variants, spellings and surnames that share the same origin. It is likely derived from an old German word "encke" meaning blunt or edge. One variant of the surname is Encke, while other common variants of the name include Encken, Enckebohm, Enckendorf and Anken. Spellings and variations of the name include Encken, Enck, Enckenbohm, Ankenbohm, Enckenborn, Enckeborn, Enckebohm and Ankebohm.

Other similar surnames include Eike, Engert, Engle, Enkenheimer, Heike, Unke and Unkenholz, which are all closely related and derived from the same source.

In Germany, variations such as Ankendörfer have been recorded since the Middle Ages, while Enckebohm is mainly found around the Rhineland-Palatinate region. The spelling of Enke has even been popularized in the Netherlands, with the surnames Ancken, Ankersen and Anckers spelling variations.

The surname Enke has been adopted by people in other countries too, with names like Anker appearing in the United States. Even in England, the variant Enk (with the old spelling of German Enck) has been noted on the electoral roll.

Famous people with the name Enke

• Robert Enke: A former German football goalkeeper, Robert Enke was a part of the national team from 2006 until 2009. He tragically committed suicide in 2009.
• Erich Enke: Erich Enke was a German aviator who is credited with performing the first night flight over an obstancle course in 1924.
• Michelle Enke: Michelle Enke is an American author who has published historical fiction and fantasy novels, as well as screenplays and poetry.
• Nele Enke: Nele Enke is a German musician and vocalist who has released a variety of albums and EPs.
• Sven Enke: Sven Enke is a German actor who has starred in a number of films and TV series in the sci-fi and mystery genres.
• Reinhold Enke: Reinhold Enke was a German teacher and athlete who competed at the 1936 Summer Olympics. He later became a prisoner of war in the Soviet Union.
• Josef Enke: Josef Enke was the founder of a German brewery most famously known for producing the “Spessart Pilsener” beer.
• August Enke: August Enke was a German lawyer and politician who served as a mayor of several towns in the 19th century.
• R.Neill Enke: An American historian and academic, R.Neill Enke has published books and articles on the history of China and South Asia.
• Andrew Enke: Andrew Enke is a Canadian sculptor and digital artist whose work has been featured in various galleries.

Other surnames

EnkelEnkelmann