Surname Kortke - Meaning and Origin
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Kortke: What does the surname Kortke mean?
The last name Kortke is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘kortek’, meaning ‘short’ or ‘brief’. Initially, the name was likely used to denote someone who was of short stature, much like the English surname ‘Short’. Alternatively, it may have been a nickname for someone with a sharp wit or someone who was particularly laconic.
In terms of surname distribution, Kortke is a fairly common surname in Germany. It is not currently found in the United Kingdom, but has spread to other parts of the world such as the United States and Canada. The Kortke family can be found in numerous places around the globe, in both its original spelling as well as numerous variants, such as Korth, Korteke, and Kiertke.
Throughout history, people with the surname Kortke have been involved in a wide variety of professions. The most common occupations have been agriculture-related professions, such as farmers, butchers, and shepherds. Many Kortkes have also excelled in various trades, such as carpentry, masonry, and blacksmithing, while others have worked as clerks and merchants. These people have come from numerous backgrounds and worked hard to build better lives and make a lasting impact in their respective communities.
Order DNA origin analysisKortke: Where does the name Kortke come from?
The last name Kortke is most commonly found in Germany, but can be found throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, and other countries across the globe. It is also present in the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and even Israel.
The Kortke surname appears to be of German origin, although its precise etymology is unclear. The Kortke family likely descended from a German or Dutch family that immigrated to the United States during the 19th century or earlier.
The name Kortke is most common in the Germanic countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where it is found on 1 in every 7,100, 1 in every 81,400, and 1 in every 409,400 people respectively. It is also common in the Netherlands, where approximately 1 in 26,000 people have the Kortke surname.
In the United States, the 2000 census records that approximately 1,653 US individuals bear the last name Kortke. Most of those with the surname can be found in the Midwest and northeastern regions of the United States of America.
In Canada, the Kortke surname was recorded as being present in 7 provinces and territories, with most of the individuals being concentrated in Ontario and British Columbia.
Finally, the last name Kortke is also present in the United Kingdom, though the number of individuals with the last name is unknown.
Variations of the surname Kortke
The surname Kortke has several variants, spellings and surnames which are thought to have the same origin. These variants include Cortke, Koerte, Kortecke, Korteke, Korthke, Kortkeon, Kortkamp, Kortkaemp, Kortkamp, Körtkamp, Körtkamp, and Kürtkamp.
The most common variant seems to be Kortke, which has a Germanic origin and can be traced back to ancient times when it was used as a personal name. It is thought to derive from the Old High German words "kurt" or "kört", which mean short or small. Over time, this personal name became used as a surname, eventually changing and evolving to become Kortke.
The variants and spellings can vary from country to country; for example, the spelling is often seen as "Kortkeon" in Dutch speaking regions. In other countries, such as Germany the spelling is often seen as "Körtkamp".
The surname Kortke has spread and evolved over time, giving rise to many surnames with an identical origin. Popular variants are found in vastly different countries, including Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada and many more. Before the age of emigration, the surname would have been much more common among the countries in mainland Europe where it evolved.
Overall, the surname Kortke has a rich and varied past and is thought to originate from Old High German words meaning "short or small". There are several related variants, spellings and surnames which all derive from the original source, showing evidence of how the surname has evolved and spread over time.
Famous people with the name Kortke
- Torsten Körtke: multimedia artist from Berlin, Germany.
- Georg Körtke: former Austrian road racing cyclist.
- Jörg Körtke: German professional football midfielder.
- Andre Körtke: German sprint canoer.
- Heike Körtke: former female breaststroke swimmer from East Germany.
- Paul Körtke: German football defender.
- Anton Körtke: German professional footballer.
- Don Kortke: American former basketball player.
- Kerry Kortke: Australian children's author.
- Nina Kortke: American entrepreneur and philanthropist.