Surname Grelke - Meaning and Origin

Grelke: What does the surname Grelke mean?

The last name Grelke is believed to have originated in Germany in the early 1300s, and is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word “Griel” which means “fierce” or “bold”. This indicates that the original bearer of the surname was likely a fierce, strong-willed individual who fought bravely against his enemies.

Over the centuries, Grelke has spread throughout various parts of the world, and today it is a relatively common last name in many European and American countries. In the US, it ranks among the top 10,000 surnames, making it among the 1000 most popular last names.

The Grelke family has its own coat of arms, which features a red griffin head adorned by three silver stars. This crest is symbolic of the fierce and bold nature of the Grelke family, and is a testament to their bravery and strength.

The Grelke family is a noble one, comprised of many individuals who have made significant contributions throughout history. They have contributed to science, politics, religion, and the military, as well as having a habit of distinguishing themselves as entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators. It is this legacy of accomplishment that continues to make the Grelke last name one of respect and admiration.

Grelke: Where does the name Grelke come from?

The surname Grelke is common throughout many countries in Europe. In Germany, where many variants of the name exist, Grelke is known to be most frequent in the northern states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Brandenburg. The Polish equivalent of the name, Grelka, is relatively common in many parts of Poland, including the regions of Lubuskie, Warmian-Masurian, Lódz Voivodeship, Lodz, and Masovian Voivodeship. In Scandinavian countries, especially Sweden, the name Grelke is also quite common.

In the United States, Grelke is mainly concentrated in the Midwest states, particularly in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Additionally, people with the surname Grelke are known to have immigrated from Europe to other parts of the world, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Given the geographical distribution of the surname, Grelke is still a relatively common name today, and can be found in many countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Grelke

The surname Grelke is most commonly spelled as Grelke, but can also be found with variant spellings, including Grelka, Greck, Grecka, Grekel, Grekla, and Grekle. This surname is also found in alternative spellings throughout Europe, including Gholci, Golk, Grolke, Grohlke, Grolke, Groller, Groolke, Grolka, Grote, Grukle and Gruhlke.

Grelke is a German-based surname, derived from the introduction of personal taxation, which was known as Poll Tax in medieval Europe. The surname is derived from the German word grella, which means a roll or list. This indicates that it was likely assigned as an occupational name to a person involved in record keeping or as a nickname for someone fond of making lists.

The Grelke surname is most commonly found in Germany and Poland today, but can be traced to various areas throughout Europe, including the United States, France, Canada, and the Czech Republic. Common German variants of the Grelke surname have been found in the USA including Grehlke, Grelka-Groman, Grohlke, Grekel, Groelke, and Grolke. The most common of its variants, Grohlke, has been found to be the most frequent spelling in Germany, with records dating back to Europe in the 1600s.

The alternative surnames for Grelke also have variants in other languages. For example, in France, the variant Gremille has been used, and the Austrian variant Grielke can be found in today's directories. In the United States, the alternative surname Grehle (usually with an "-e" at the end) can be found in records.

No matter the spelling or variant, the Grelke surname is an indication of Germanic origins with an interesting historical background.

Famous people with the name Grelke

• Mindy Grelke: Swiss actress, known for The Divine Order (2017) and Hidden Secrets (2012).
• Harry Grelke: American actor, known for Life as We Know It (2010) and Drop Dead Diva (2009).
• Jonathan Grelke: American musician, singer, and songwriter.
• Barry Grelke: Founder and CEO of the Jewish broadcasting television company Shalom TV.
• Bob Grelke: American sports broadcaster and former professional baseball player.
• Anne-Marie Grelke: Principal harpist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
• Mitchel Grelke: German footballer, known for his contract with the club SKK Rapids.
• Floyd Grelke: American football player who appeared in the professional league for two seasons.
• Marshall Grelke: Lead singer of the rock band Shooter-McGavin.
• Cate Grelke: Australian artist, known for her solo exhibitions in galleries throughout Australia.
• Morgan Grelke: American drama and reality TV producer, known for producing the television shows The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.
• Charlie Grelke: American opera singer who is recognized as an early pioneer for African American performers in the opera world.
• Christian Grelke: Australian singer and songwriter, known for her folk rock music style.
• Oliver Grelke: German architecture historian who wrote several essays and articles on modern architecture.
• Thomas Grelke: German TV presenter, known for hosting Wer weiss denn sowas? since 2015.
• Carina Grelke: American medical doctor, specializing in cardiology and immunology.

Other surnames

Grelka