Surname Hermkes - Meaning and Origin

Hermkes: What does the surname Hermkes mean?

The last name Hermkes is of German origin. It is believed to have derived from the first name Hermann or Herman, which is derived from the Old German elements "hariman" meaning "soldier" and "kins" or "kin" meaning "family". In German, the meaning of the surname Hermkes is translated as "from the Herman family”.

The surname Hermkes can be found throughout Germany, but is most popular in the northern regions. It first appeared in historic records in the 16th century and has since grown to be one of the most common last names in Germany.

Further research of the name Hermkes reveals that there have been numerous Hermkes families to have risen to prominence throughout German history. Popular figures among this family include Johann Hermann Hermkes, the famous 19th century German luthier; Anton Edward Hermkes, the early 20th century German minister of agriculture; and Gottfried Wilhelm Hermkes, the popular German artist of the Renaissance era.

Today, the surname Hermkes is still thriving in Germany, with many descendants of the original Hermkes family still living in the area. In addition, many of the family’s namesakes have spread to other countries, where the name Hermkes remains a testament to the family’s German heritage and history.

Hermkes: Where does the name Hermkes come from?

The surname Hermkes is commonly found in northern Europe and is believed to be of German, Dutch, or Danish origin. In Germany, the name is most common in North Rhine-Westphalia. In The Netherlands, the name is most commonly found in the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe, while in Denmark it is found mainly in the Arms of the region of Jutland.

In all of these countries, the family name has undergone minor spelling variations such as Hermeke, Hemke, Hermke, Hemmke, and even Hermsen.

Quite a few descendants of the original Hermkes family still live in each of these countries and it is believed that some descendants also emigrated to the United States and Canada.

The name may have originated during the migration of Germanic tribes into the northern region during the Medieval period. Its original meaning is obscure, though some believe it may have referred to a person who was of ‘heroic’ character.

Although the name is not particularly common in any of the countries mentioned, there are numerous people with this family name living today in each of the countries. It can be found in cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Groningen, Aarhus, and Copenhagen.

Variations of the surname Hermkes

Hermkes is an uncommon Dutch surname. It can have several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Herkmans, Harmon, Hermans, Hermsen, Hermansen, Hermanson, Hermkens, Hermkensen, and Harmke.

Hermkes is a patronymic surname, meaning it is based on the father’s first name. The ‘s’ at the end of the name may have been added to distinguish it from other surnames with the same root name.

The root of the name comes from the Old Germanic personal name ‘Herman’, which means 'soldier, warrior'. This may explain how the presence of the suffix ‘-ke’, a nickname or pet form of the name, came about.

Other variants of the surname may have come about due to regional differences in pronunciation and spelling of the name. Examples include Harmans, Herrmkens, and Harmkens.

Finally, the name may have been modified when it was used in other countries. For example, the French form of Herman would be 'Armand', from which Hermans and Hermansen originate.

In conclusion, the surname Hermkes has a range of variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. These all indicate that they are related by the root personal name Herman and by the suffix -ke added to it.

Famous people with the name Hermkes

• Fredrik Hermkes: Dutch athlete specialising in the 3000m steeplechase.
• Jörg Hermkes: Professional German footballer.
• Marcus Hermkes: German Physician and Surgeon.
• Martin Hermkes: German politician.
• Triel Hermkes: Singer, Songwriter and Record Producer.
• Karl Hermann Hermkes: German former cyclist.
• Maartje Hermkes: Dutch professional field hockey goalkeeper.
• Klaas Hermkes: Dutch television personality.
• Theo Hermkes: Dutch Politician affiliated with the PVV.
• Stefanie Hermkes: German track and field athlete.
• William Hermkes: American Actor and Singer.
• Marie Hermkes: German politician affiliated with the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen.
• Harry Hermkes: Dutch Minister and Politician affiliated with the Centrum Democraten.
• Esther Hermkes: Dutch Actress.
• Franz Hermann Hermkes: German career military officer and diplomat.

Other surnames

Hermkens