Surname Gödeke - Meaning and Origin

Gödeke: What does the surname Gödeke mean?

The last name Gödeke is a German surname, derived from the name "Godecke." It is a diminutive form of the German given name "Godeke," an ancient and popular name in Germany. The verb "Godeke" means "to thrive" or "to be successful," so it's likely that those who bore this name were believed to live a life of success and prosperity.

The Gödeke surname is a popular one in German-speaking areas, but it isn't found much in other parts of the world. It has been recorded in documents such as birth and marriage records, as well as in the records of noble families. The records often show that members of the Gödeke family were influential and held important positions in local government.

The Gödeke surname is still present in Germany today, mostly in the regions of Westphalia, Thuringia, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony-Anhalt. It is also possible to find Gödeke families living in other areas of the world, including the United States, Canada, and even Australia.

In general, the Gödeke surname has been associated with success, prosperity, and influence. Those who have this surname can be proud of its heritage and rich history.

Gödeke: Where does the name Gödeke come from?

The last name Gödeke is a very rare surname, mostly found in Germany. It is thought to be a variant of Gödecke, which is a German topographic surname for someone who lived near a “gut” (good, acreage). It is believed to be of German origin and is likely derived from the word “gut”.

In the past century, Gödeke has been found primarily in the small German town of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Today, Gödeke remains a unique surname, with pockets of the family residing in Germany, the United States, and Brazil.

In the United States, Gödeke is mainly found in the states of New York and Pennsylvania. There are some who have emigrated from Germany to California and Texas.

In Brazil, Gödeke is a fairly uncommon name, with most of the family members residing in the south and southeastern regions of the country.

Interestingly, Gödeke is an uncommon last name, but is found in regions where historically German settlers have lived. The surname has managed to make its way across the world and still unite different branches of the same family.

Variations of the surname Gödeke

The surname Gödeke is a Germanic surname of patronymic origin. It is derived from Gödeker, which is the ancestor's first name. This surname is believed to have its origin in Germany, dating back to the 15th century when it was also found in countries like Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria.

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Gödeke include Goedeke, Goedecke, Gedecke, Godecke, Goodecke, Godeke, Godkähne, Goedicke, Gudicone, Godicke, Johannes and Joannes.

In Germany, the surname Gödeke is associated with the medieval nobility. During the 16th century, Friedrich Gödeke was the family head of the Gödeke dynasty. The dynasty had a castle at Rödelheim, part of Bad Homburg, which is today a part of Frankfurt.

In Switzerland, the name is spelled as Gudeke. There is a record of a Johannes Gudeke who was a famous priest in the canton of Neuchâtel in the 17th century. In Denmark, the surname is known as Godiche. During the medieval period, Godike Stofte was the family head of Godike dynasty in Denmark.

In Austria, Gödeke is spelled as Goedecke. The Goedecke dynasty was prominent in the region of Bohemia back in the 15th century. The family was also well known in Upper Austria during the 16th century.

Today, the Gödeke surname is widely found throughout many parts of Germany, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, and other regions of Europe where Germanic migration was at its peak.

Famous people with the name Gödeke

• Reiner Godeke: German sculptor and media artist, an influential figure in digital and digital-hybrid sculpture since the 1980s.
• Lothar Godeke: German historian, medievalist and Latinist, and professor at the University of Heidelberg.
• Yannick Godeke: German footballer currently playing for the U19 Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
• Rudolf Godeke: German manager-owner of a chain of shops and restaurants in Southern Germany.
• Johannes Godeke: German composer and musicologist of the Baroque era.
• Wolf Hartmut Godeke: German actor and television presenter who has appeared in various films, TV series, and commercials.
• Erich Godeke: German doctor and amateur photographer; among his most famous works is a 1952 portrait of Helene and Johann Strauss on occasion of their 70th wedding anniversary.
• Joachim von Godeke: German-Swiss entrepreneur who was the owner of a large publishing house in the 19th century.
• Anna Godeke: German costume designer who designed for several of Wolfgang Zurborn's feature films.
• Annegret Godeke: German musician and opera singer from Berlin, who was a member of the chorus of the Komische Oper Berlin from 1985 to 1995.

Other surnames

GödekenGödeker