Surname Gelke - Meaning and Origin

Gelke: What does the surname Gelke mean?

The last name Gelke is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word gelle, which means “square” or “small town.” In the Middle Ages there were many small towns along the German-Austrian border and the progenitors of the Gelke family may have lived in one of them. The name is most common in the German states of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia.

In more modern times, the Gelke surname can be found in the United States, specifically in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas. The first Gelke to arrive in America was Frederick W. Gelke, who settled in New York in 1883. Since then, the name has been passed down through multiple generations in the United States.

The family’s coat of arms is said to contain a silver shield featuring two wings, each of which is composed of three yellow scallops. The crest features a blue lion, and the motto translates to “endurance is the highest honor.”

Overall, the Gelke surname is firmly rooted in German culture and history. It is a reminder of the family’s humble beginnings in small towns along the German-Austrian border, and it also stands as a testament to their determination and resilience through many generations in the United States.

Gelke: Where does the name Gelke come from?

The last name Gelke is quite common in the German-speaking countries of Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also fairly common in parts of the United States, especially in the Midwest.

Gelke is a family name derived from the German word "galgen" meaning gallows or scaffold. The surname likely first came from the nickname "Galgen" which may have described a person who was short in stature since the German word "galgen" could also mean a giraffe.

Today, it is estimated that there are more than 10,000 people across Europe and North America who bear the Gelke surname. This places it in the top 200th most common surnames among Germans. It is most common in the state of Brandenburg in Germany. In the United States, Gelke is the 7,291st most common surname. Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Maryland are some of the states with the highest concentration of Gelke families.

Many Gelke families can trace their roots to various parts of Germany such as Silesia, Prussia, and Westphalia. There may also be some families with this surname who migrated from other countries such as Sweden or the Netherlands at some point in history.

The Gelke surname is often associated with good work ethic. Many of the Gelke families today have kept this tradition and are well respected in their respective communities.

Variations of the surname Gelke

The Gelke surname has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include:

Gélicque: This variant comes from the French spelling of the surname, and is a combination of the prefix ‘Gel’ and the ending ‘icque’.

Gelchie: This variant originates from the country now known as The Netherlands. It is a variation of the name that was used in the Middle Ages, meaning ‘person from Ghelle’.

Gelleck: This surname has its roots in Germany and is a combination of the prefix ‘Gel’ and the ending ‘leck’.

Gekle: This variant is of German descent and comes from the suffix ‘kle’, which was originally used in medieval times to denote a person of low status.

Gelting: This spelling originates from the Netherlands and is a combination of the prefix ‘Gel’ and the ending ‘ting’.

Gelber: This surname is of Jewish origin and it is a combination of the prefix ‘Gel’ and the ending ‘ber’. It is one of the oldest known surnames associated with the Gelke name.

Gelhausen: This variation is of German origin and is a combination of the prefix ‘Gel’ and the ending ‘hausen’.

Gelka: This variant is also of German origin and is a combination of the prefix ‘Gel’ and the ending ‘ka’.

Gelke: This spelling is the original German spelling of the surname, used by the first Gelke immigrants to the USA.

Other spellings and variants of the Gelke surname include: Gele, Geles, Gelle, Gelei, Gelener, Gelker, Gelbes, Gelbke, Gelbmann, Gelicke, Gillick, Gilleck, Gellick, Gelbert, Gelfting, Gelkopf, Gelnick, Gelinsky, Gelin, Gelley, Gelink, Gelimi, and Gelik.

All of the spellings and surnames of the Gelke name have their roots in different countries and languages, ranging from German to Dutch. It’s a surname full of history and heritage, with a variety of unique spellings.

Famous people with the name Gelke

• Holger Gelke: An actor who has starred in the TV series “Jordskott” and “Rosa: en rikedom av värme”
• Felicitas Gelke: An actress who has starred in German television series “Alisa: Folge deinem Herzen”
• Gordon Gelke: A professional archer who has competed in multiple international archery tournaments
• Friedhelm Gelke: A German landscape painter known for his realist oil paintings
• Frank-A. Gelke: A renowned immunologist and the former director of the scientific institute of the University of oldenburg
• Olaf Gelke: A former professional football player who played for German club FC Hansa Rostock
• Thomas Gelke: A German architect who has participated in numerous international architecture competitions
• Severin Gelke: An award-winning photographer whose work has been exhibited in numerous galleries
• Heinz Gelke: A German ceramic artist who is recognized for the modern, abstract style of his ceramic sculptures
• Karlheinz Gelke: The former president of Germany’s Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Relief

Other surnames

Gelker