Surname Höpke - Meaning and Origin

Höpke: What does the surname Höpke mean?

The last name Höpke is a German surname that originated in East Frisia, which is a region located in the northwest of Germany. Its roots lie with the Old German tribal clans known as the ‘Hemph-tribes’, which were Germanic people who settled in areas near the current Netherlands/Germany border. The name is derived from ‘Höpk’, which is an old German word meaning ‘marsh’ or ‘swamp’.

Historically, Höpke was a popular name used in Northern Germany in the past. It was also used in the Netherlands by populations in the Frisian Islands, and it is relatively common in parts of Belgium, as well. In Germany, the name is most often found in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania region, Bilderslautern (located in the Rhineland-Palatinate), and the state of Saxony-Anhalt, although there are also some records extending from the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and some other countries as well.

The family crest for the Höpke surname is fairly consistent, and it typically features a red griffin perched on a golden shield. The claws of the griffin are gold, and it has a crown on its head to represent high status. The shield is sometimes held up by two silver lions, known as ‘Löwen’, which symbolize courage, strength, and protection.

The Höpke family name has a rich heritage that connects individuals to the past. Although it’s not as prominent as some other German surnames, it still has an identifiable history and a distinct coat of arms that represent all of its members.

Höpke: Where does the name Höpke come from?

The last name Höpke is most common today in several parts of Germany. It can be found particularly in the states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein.

The states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia each have several hundred individuals with the Höpke last name. In Schleswig-Holstein, the Höpke surname is particularly concentrated around the cities of Kiel and Kremperheide.

Höpke is also a relatively common name in other parts of Europe, such as in Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In the United States, the surname is not especially common, though there are a few hundred people bearing the name, especially in the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan.

Höpke is a patronymic name derived from the German name Hopko, and is sometimes recorded as Hoepke, Hoepken or Hoepke. The name originates from an ancient German first name, Hopko or Hope, which is derived from either the old Germanic element, hop meaning ‘patch of land’, or from the Latin word, habena meaning ‘harness’.

Höpke is an old name with a long history, and it is still very much in use in Germany. It is also found in other countries in Europe, and further abroad. Though it is not especially common in the United States, there are a few hundred individuals with the Höpke surname in scattered parts of the country.

Variations of the surname Höpke

The surname Höpke has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Hopke, Hoepke, Hoepken, Hoepking, Hoepkken, Hoepig, Hoebke, Hoeppke, Hopking, and Hopken.

The German name Höpke is derived from the Low German terms höpken and höpen, which mean “to be able to scoop” and “to make a scoop” respectively. It is believed that the name was originally associated with professions involving scooping, such as mining, and was assigned to individuals working in these trades.

The spelling variations of the name Höpke show the influence of different German dialects and historical changing spellings of German names. Furthermore, the variations may indicate that each spelling reflects a different regional origin.

Höpke is a widespread name in the German states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, where the name is found mainly in eastern regions. Outside of Germany, the name is used in Sweden, Scotland, and Denmark.

The variants of Höpke are commonly used as surnames in various parts of Europe, with some being more common than others. Examples of variants that are used as surnames include Hoepken, Hopking, and Hopken.

The surname Höpke may also be written as Hopke, Hoebke, or Hoeppke, depending on the historical context. The name Hopke is especially common in Sweden and Denmark, while Hoebke is common in Scotland.

In summary, the surname Höpke has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Hopke, Hoepke, Hoepken, Hoepking, Hoepkken, Hoepig, Hoebke, Hoeppke, Hopking, and Hopken. These variants are used as surnames in various parts of Europe, with some being more common than others in certain countries or regions.

Famous people with the name Höpke

• Robert Höpke: Former German professional footballer and UEFA Pro Licence holder
• Charlotte Höpke: Olympic gold medalist in artistic gymnastics representing East Germany
• Thea Höpke: Former professional tennis player from Germany
• Christian Höpke: German World Cup ski racer
• Max Höpke: Former professional boxer from Germany
• Franz Höpke: Former German luger
• Ann-Kathrin Höpke: German television actress
• Erich Höpke: German theologian
• Inka Höpke: German contemporary composer
• Philipp Höpke: Footballer who currently plays for Lüneburger SK Hansa in the German Regionalliga
• Hussein Höpke: German professional football coach
• Uwe Höpke: German handball player and coach
• Thomas Höpke: Virologist, parasitologist and Old Testament scholar
• Ingo Höpke: Handballer who currently plays for Lüneburger SK Hansa in the German Oberliga
• Philipp Höpke: German physicist, professor, geodesist and director of the Geodetic Institute at the Leibniz University Hannover
• Thomas Höpke: Professor of Paleoecology at the University of Koblenz
• Reiner Höpke: German football goalkeeper
• Wilfried Höpke: Former Vice President of the German Football Association (DFB)
• Maria Höpke: German modern pentathlete
• Mo Höpke: German Paralympic athletics competitor

Other surnames

HöpkenHöpker