Surname Polke - Meaning and Origin

Polke: What does the surname Polke mean?

Polke is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the Slavic word "Polak", which translates to "Pole" or a person from Poland. Therefore, the last name Polke generally signifies a person or family of Polish ancestry or geographical origin. It might have originally been adopted by an individual or family who migrated from Poland to a German-speaking region. However, as with many surnames, there can be different lineages and interpretations, and not all people with the last name Polke necessarily have Polish roots. It is important to remember that surnames have evolved and mutated over centuries, acquiring different meanings and associations in different regions and times. Famous people with the last name "Polke" include the renowned German artist Sigmar Polke.

Polke: Where does the name Polke come from?

The Polke family is commonly found in parts of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the name is most concentrated in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as in the area around the former East German border. In Austria, the name appears to be particularly common in the states of Upper Austria, Burgenland and Vorarlberg.

In the United States, the Polke name is more spread out across the country, although it is most heavily concentrated in the mid-west states. It appears to have entered the country with some of the German and Swiss immigrants during the 19th and 20th century.

The written form likely changed and evolved over time, potentially leading to the names Palka, Polke, Poelke and Pölke. The name may also be found in other countries, such as Poland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain and South Africa.

Variations of the surname Polke

The surname Polke is a German and English toponymic surname derived from the Middle High German word “boke,” which was used to refer to a small brook or stream in the area. Variants and spellings of the Polke surname may include: Polk, Polka, Polsky, Polack, and Polick.

Polke is also a Hebrew name believed to be derived from either “polki” meaning “circular” or “magid” meaning “teacher.” Variants of this version of the surname may include Palka, Palka, Pallak, and Palkey.

Polke is also a Ukrainian name derived from the word “polk” meaning “regiment” or “army grouping.” Variants of this version of the surname may include Polok, Polka, Polakh, and Polkach. It is also found as a surname for Ashkenazi Jews who took on the name of the nearby regions as part of their names.

Polke is also a surname found among the Sorbian people of the Eastern German region. Variants of this version of the surname may include Polek, Poleka, Polke, Poloce, Polck, and Polkec.

During the Middle Ages, numerous Germanic families from the region adopted the Polke surname, and it has since spread across Europe, particularly in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As the surname has spread, varieties in spelling have evolved over time as languages and dialects have changed or as immigrants have moved to new parts of the world. The various forms of the surname found today are evidence of this evolution and attest to the fact that the surname is of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Polke

• Sigmar Polke (1941-2010): German painter and photographer who was a leading figure in Post-War Germany.
• Dave Polke: An American news anchor and broadcaster who gained widespread prominence when he joined Good Morning America in 1982.
• Louise Polke: An American makeup artist who has been credited with transforming actresses such as Diane Lane and Lauren Graham.
• Ralph Polke: An award-winning documentary filmmaker who has won international acclaim for his films on human rights and refugee crises in Africa and the Middle East.
• Dirk Polke: A German landscape and architectural photographer whose work around the world has been featured in many publications.
• Laura Polke: A German sculptor whose work has been extensively exhibited across Germany and Europe since the 1980s.
• Rebecca Polke: An American food writer and cook whose recipes have been featured in Gourmet magazine and Bon Appetit.
• Gert Polke: A German author and artist whose books have been translated into multiple languages and have been regarded as some of the best German literature of the post-war period.
• Wilhelm Polke: An independent filmmaker whose debut feature film “The Walls of Vienna” won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007.
• Birgit Polke: A German costume designer whose work has been featured in plays, movies, operas, and ballets across Europe.

Other surnames

Polk