Surname Krönke - Meaning and Origin

Krönke: What does the surname Krönke mean?

The last name Krönke is a German surname thought to be derived from the name Krone, which literally translates to crown in English. It is believed to have originated from eastern Germany, specifically Brandenburg and Pomerania. Historically, Krönke was used as a sign of nobility or aristocratic lineage. The name was also used to designate an aristocracy or family that had recently acquired wealth or power. This has been thought to stem from a habit of the original noble owners of the title to wear a "crown" on their hats or coats of arms.

The meaning of the surname also likely represented imperial or rulership symbolism as it is customary for a momentous crown to be placed atop the heads of new monarchs to signify their rule over a region or group of people. During the Middle Ages, the surname Krönke was known to be used by several noble families, including the families of von Charisius, Frundt, Maron, and Böttger.

Today, the surname Krönke is still widely used across Europe and is a relatively common surname in Germany, especially in cities like Berlin, Leipzig, Hamburg, and Munich. The last name is also used in Russia, Lithuania, Denmark, and across Scandinavia and northern Europe.

Krönke: Where does the name Krönke come from?

The last name Krönke is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the East German states, which were part of the former East Germany during the Cold War. The name is less common in the former West Germany, making it more of an East German name. It is also common in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and other parts of the former Soviet Union, reflecting Germany’s past dominant role in the region. It is also found in the United States, where it is mostly found among communities of German descent.

Krönke is a German occupational name associated with artisans who worked in metal and gold, such as armorers, gunsmiths, and clockmakers. The name is derived from the Old German term “Krönken,” which means “to shape,” referring to the shaping of metal. As such, the name likely first appeared in Germany sometime between the 12th and 14th centuries.

In modern times, Krönke is a fairly uncommon name, but still found in German-speaking countries. However, the dispersal of German immigrants throughout Europe and America has also ensured that there are still some pockets of Krönkes across the globe.

Variations of the surname Krönke

Krönke is a German surname which originated from the Bavarian-Austrian region and is thought to be derived from the Middle High German verb ‘krönen’, meaning ‘to crown’, ‘to honour’ or ‘to adorn’. It is also related to the Latin word ‘corona’, meaning ‘crown’ or ‘wreath’.

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Krönke include Kröhnke, Krönske, Krünke, Cronke, Czronke, Czrönke, Kerczronke, Kerczynski, Kieczkowski, Rajnke, Roynke, Kröner, Kroner, Kronke, Krones, Kroning, Krumme, Kruhne, Kröhn, Krooten, Vronke, and Vronk.

The spelling of Krönke is often found Anglicized as Krone or Krohn in the United States, and is also seen as Crohn or Crone; in the Netherlands it may be written as Kroeink or Kruinkel, and in Poland, other variants found include Kerczyński, Kieczkowski and Królikowski.

Krönke has several cognates in other languages, including Croatian Krunčić and Krunić, Czech Kronec and Krouna, and Hungarian Krón.

The surname may also be associated with a nickname, such as Kronschnabel in Germany, which is derived from the word ‘krönchen’, meaning a small crown. It is also related to other surnames like Krone in Germany, and Krohn in Norway.

Therefore, there is a diverse variety of spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin for the German surname Krönke.

Famous people with the name Krönke

• Henry Krönke: German rower and Olympic athlete
• Friedrich Wilhelm Krönke: German botanist and biologist
• Kristina Krönke: German entrepreneur, author, and media consultant
• Henning Krönke: German broadcast journalist
• Ina Krönke: German TV and radio presenter
• Jörg Krönke: German show jumping rider
• Else Krönke: German swimmer
• Josef Krönke: German politician
• Silke Krönke: German rugger player
• Ernst Krönke: German diplomat
• Katharina Krönke: German model and actress
• Johan Wilhelm Krönke: German Lutheran leader
• Jona Krönke: German National Governing Body of Gymnastics board member

Other surnames

KronkKronkhyte