Surname Meinke - Meaning and Origin

Deciphering the Meaning of 'Meinke' Through My DNA: An iGENEA Testimonial

Understanding your past can give a whole new perspective towards your present. As I journeyed through my iGENEA DNA test results, it was as if I was in a time machine, witnessing the different eras of the Meinke lineage. Words fail to encapsulate the excitement, curiosity, and reverence I felt as I delved into the depths of my heritage, one DNA strand at a time.

W. Meinke

Meinke: What does the surname Meinke mean?

The surname Meinke is a German and Dutch patronymic surname that is derived from the middle Germanic personal name “Mein”, which was a popular name in the Low German language area. Then, the suffix "-ke" was added as a diminutive, which was used to modify the meaning to “Little Mein” or “Mein’s Little One”.

The surname Meinke was most likely initially adopted by the son of a man named Mein, as an indicator of filial devotion. Over the years, the name has continued to spread and be used as a family name, passed down from generation to generation. It is now prominent in Germany, the Netherlands, and scattered other countries, mainly as a result of emigration.

In the German language, the name Meinke is derived from the word “meine”, which translates to “my” or “mine”. Similarly, the Dutch version is derived from the word “men”, which translates to “me”. In both languages, the name is a sign of endearment and belonging.

Today, the name is seen as a source of identity and pride, allowing for individuals to trace their roots back to the past and look to the future with optimism. It is a reminder that the strong bond between a family can exist through centuries, transcending all barriers of space and time.

Meinke: Where does the name Meinke come from?

The last name Meinke is most common today in northern Germany and the Netherlands. Meinke (also spelled Meineke, Meincke, Meinecke, etc.) is an occupational surname, which means that the name was given to people who worked as a meinkers, a type of craftsman who made brooms and brushes. The first recorded mention of the name occurs in 1385 in a record from the city of Lübeck, Germany.

Today, the name Meinke is most commonly associated with northern Germany, where it is among the 100 most common surnames. It is also quite common in the Netherlands, where it ranks among the top 200 most common surnames. It is uncommon in the United States, where it is ranked at 7,510 in the 2019 census.

The name is most likely of German or Dutch origin, but it is also popular in Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Iceland. It is thought that the name comes from the German word “meineke” which means “little brushmaker”, though it has also been suggested that it is derived from the Dutch “mein”, meaning man, or the Old Slavonic “menko” meaning "young man".

There are also other variations of the name, including Meinert, Meinhard, Meiners, Meißner and Mönnich. It is thought that these various versions of the same name are derived from different countries or regions of origin. Regardless of its origin, the last name Meinke is one of the most common surnames in northern Germany and the Netherlands.

Variations of the surname Meinke

The surname Meinke is of German origin, and is derived from the personal name ‘Meinhard’, a combination of ‘mein’ meaning ‘my’ or ‘mine’ combined with ‘hard’, meaning ‘brave’ or ‘strong’. It was a common given name among medieval Germans and is found in various variant spellings.

Meinke and Meinken are two of the more common spellings, both still found mainly in Germany itself and among German-speaking European countries, including Austria and Switzerland. Meinicke is another variant, as is Meinike, which is found mainly in the USA, along with Meinik, Meininck, Meiniack and Meinich.

Other variants of the name exist in Germany, as well, including Minken, Meinichs, Meinröhr, Meinhold, Meinvath and Minke.

In the USA, some of the more commonly found variations and surnames on record are Meinck, Mainke, Meinke, Mains, Meinik, Meinholz and Mynke.

The original spelling and use of the surname Meinke in Germany and other German-speaking regions can still be found today, although the various variants of the name have spread further afield, particularly to the USA and many other countries around the world. They have sometimes been changed, adapted or even shorted to fit the local language or to be more pronounceable in other tongues.

Famous people with the name Meinke

• Herbie Meinke: actor
• Till Meinke: former German footballer
• Edward Meinke: American architect
• James Meinke: Australian composer
• Hermann Meinke: German biologist
• John W. Meinke: American chemist
• Karl Meinke: Australian physician
• Kerstin Meinke: German former alpine skier
• Lena Meinke: German actress
• Mark Meinke: Australian theatre director
• Peter Meinke: US poet and short fiction writer
• Rob Meinke: Australian cricketer
• Sepp Meinke: former German footballer
• Tosh Meinke: Danish professional footballer
• Uwe Meinke: German former footballer

Other surnames

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