Surname Medicke - Meaning and Origin
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Medicke: What does the surname Medicke mean?
The last name Medicke is a German surname originating from the Middle Ages. It is derived from the word’Medikus', meaning ‘medical doctor'. It is thought to have first emerged as a patronymic (surname derived from a father's given name) of the Germanic Mendicius, which means ‘medicine man’ or ‘healer’.
The most common use of Medicke as a surname is found in eastern Germany. It is also found in South Africa, since it was introduced during the 18th century by German settlers.
The Medicke name continues to live on today, symbolizing many centuries’ worth of medical knowledge, dedication and skill. It is now a respected name in the medical field across the world.
In Germany and other parts of Europe, surname variants abound, such as Meding, Medeke, Medatz, Medakede, Medink or Medinde, all of which mean ‘medicine’ or ‘healer’.
Since the Medicke name is so deeply steeped in the tradition of medical knowledge and wisdom, it continues to stand as a proud testament to generations of doctors, healers and medical practitioners who have all helped extend the understanding of health and wellness. The Medicke name remains a symbol of the excellence and care that we strive for within the medical profession.
Order DNA origin analysisMedicke: Where does the name Medicke come from?
The last name Medicke is still common today, primarily in the German-speaking regions of Europe. In Germany, Medicke is fairly evenly distributed throughout the country and particularly common in large cities like Berlin, Munich and Hamburg. In Austria, Medicke is most common in the province of Vienna and the surrounding areas, and also appears in the southern-most region known as the Tyrol. In Switzerland, Medicke is quite popular in the canton of Bern and can also be found in some of the neighboring regions.
Outside of Europe, Medicke is still relatively common among descendants of German immigrants who resettled in countries like the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Australia. In the United States, Medicke is found in all 50 states, although it is more concentrated in some areas such as the Midwest, the Mountain West and the Pacific Northwest. Urban centers that have seen higher numbers of German immigrants over the years, such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Portland and Denver, also tend to have more people with this last name.
The Medicke surname can also be found in small numbers in Russia, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines, among other countries. This is likely the result of either migration by those bearing the name or intermarriage with local populations. While the majority of people bearing the Medicke name today will be found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, there are probably more scattered around the world than first meets the eye.
Variations of the surname Medicke
Medicke is a surname of various origins. It could be either German, Scandinavian, or Jewish, with different spellings and variants. Occasionally, it is found as a Jewish surname derived from a pet form of the personal name Mendel. This variant would be spelt "Medick" (with the 'e' removed). The Scandinavian version is a habitational name derived from "midde" which means 'middle.' This version of the surname would be spelt "Meddick" (with the additional 'd').
The German variant of the surname is derived from the Middle High German male personal name "Mettke" or "Metteke." This variant would be spelt "Metke" or "Metke". Some variants of the German surname Medicke include Meicheck, Meicke, Meichel, Meicks, Meikle, Meiks, Meikel, Meickel, and Meigel.
In Scandinavia, the variants of the surname include Medde, Mette, Midde, Middel, Mitt, Midtbo, and Midtbakk. In France, Medicke can be spelt 'Le Medicine.' In Poland, the name is spelt 'Medike.' In Russia, variants include 'Mediek' and 'Medetting.'
It is also occasionally found as an Americanized spelling of various like-sounding names, including Polish names such as Metek, Medek, and the Jewish names Medick and Meidick.
Famous people with the name Medicke
- Fritz Medicke: German actor and SirKinematographent born in 1896 and died in 1988.
- Albrecht Medicke: German-American engineer and former director of the Institute for Space Systems Operations (ISSO) at the NASA Johnson Space Center.
- Julius Friedmann Medicke: Austrian zoologist born in 1862 and died in 1937.
- Karl Medicke: German writer and poet born in 1891 and died in 1972.
- Karl Wilhelm Medicke: German soldier and professor of mathematics, chemistry and physics at various universities in Prussia.
- Maximilian Medicke: German entrepreneur, businessman and former CEO of German melon compound manufacturing company, Kölner Gemüsezentrale.
- Rudolph Medicke: German merchant, money changer and banker born in the late 1700s who left his fortune to the city of Vienna.
- Viktor Medicke: Austrian former skiing champion who won a bronze medal at the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz.