Surname Hemke - Meaning and Origin
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Hemke: What does the surname Hemke mean?
The last name Hemke is of German origin and is derived from the German word “Hemmd”, which means “offering” or “paying tribute to”. The name was usually given to individuals who were respected for their service or kindness.
In the middle ages, Hemkes were primarily found in the north German regions of Mecklenburg and Pomerania. It has also been suggested that the Hemke surname was borrowed from neighboring countries such as Holland, Poland and Scandinavia.
The earliest recorded Hemkes are believed to have been members of the nobility from the late 15th Century. Later, Hemkes were employed in various trades such as iron forging and smithing.
It is a common name in Germany today, with more than 1,700 people registered on the phone directory in 2020. Variations of the name include Hemkes, Hemmke and Hemsky. It is also found in other regions of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In general, the last name Hemke is a reflection of someone’s ability to offer tribute and respect, and this sense of responsibility and humility is something that is still carried by people who bear the Hemke surname today.
Order DNA origin analysisHemke: Where does the name Hemke come from?
The last name Hemke is most commonly found in Germany, though historically, it has spread to many other countries around the world, including the United States.
In Germany, Hemke is most prevalent in the East of the country, particularly in the states of Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It may also appear in the northern regions of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony.
In the US, the Hemke surname is found mostly in Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. In the Midwestern states, people bearing the last name Hemke have roots in the German immigration during the 1800's and early 1900's. In addition, bearers of the Hemke name can also be found throughout the Northeast, as well as in California and Texas.
The Hemke surname remains a popular last name in the US, particularly in Wisconsin occasionally performing in the top 1000 surnames in the state. The last name Hemke is also found in Canada, South Africa, Australia, Brazil and parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Hemke
The surname Hemke is derived from a Germanic personal name, Hemko or Hamicho, meaning ‘home-hearted’ or ‘home-loving’. This surname is common in many countries of European origin, with just a few being the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland.
The variants, spellings and surnames of Hemke include Hemkey, Hemky, Hemkye, Hemkee, Hemka, and Hemy. Hemy is the oldest recorded form of the surname, appearing in the records of the Hapsburg Empire in the 12th century, while Hemka is the most common variant, the majority of users being concentrated in Germany and the Netherlands.
In the UK, a form of the name, Heam, is present in the form of Heamke, Hemcke, Hemcke, Hemcken and Hemckens. The surname Heemke is typically found in the Netherlands, and is derived from the Old Dutch form of the personal name Hamicho.
The surname Hemke is also sometimes used as a middle name or a given name in some countries, such as the Netherlands. Hemke is also the name of various businesses and companies, such as Hemke Farmstead and Hemke Candy.
In the United States, Hemke is an anglicised version of the surname, most commonly found in411 Pennsylvania, Illinois and Michigan. Other anglicised forms of the surname are Hemki, Hemka, Hemkey and Hemky.
Overall, variants and spellings of the Hemke surname can vary by region and country, as well as time period. Common variants, spellings and surnames include Hemky, Hemka, Hemkey, Hemkye, Hemkee, Hemcke, Hemcke, Hemcken, Hemckens, Heamke, Heam, Heemke and Hemki.
Famous people with the name Hemke
- Fred Hemke: an American concert saxophonist, professor of saxophone, composer/arranger, and author of numerous books and articles on saxophone pedagogy.
- Anja Hemke: Dutch gymnast who specialized in floor exercises. She was a Dutch bronze medalist at the 1980 Summer Olympics.
- Richard Hemke: Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Kindersley in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 1982 to 1991.
- Jay Hemke: a blues singer/songwriter and guitarist from Alberta, Canada.
- Melissa Hemke: an American Broadway actress with multiple Broadway credits.
- Max Hemke: Danish Futurist poet and a key figure in the early poetry scene in North Friesland, Germany.
- Klaus-Jürgen Hemke: a German Greco-Roman wrestler who represented the unified Germany at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
- Steve Hemke: an American professor of religious studies at the University of Colorado Denver, specializing in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies.
- James Hemke: an English actor who has been in various film and stage roles since 1989, including roles in the films 'Tremors' and 'The Musketeer'.
- Scott Hemke: the son of former professional wrestler and Minnesota wrestling coach Curt Hemke, Scott is a former teacher and coach in the Minneapolis area, and now operates a wrestling camp in the state of Wisconsin.