Surname Schaenke - Meaning and Origin

Schaenke: What does the surname Schaenke mean?

The last name Schaenke is a German-language surname derived from the word “schank,” which means “bar” or “pub.” People who originally held this last name likely had a family member who owned a tavern or public house. Alternatively, the name could also be derived from the Middle High German word “schanke,” which means “bench.” This alternative suggests that the family may have had a distant ancestor who made or owned furniture such as benches.

The surname has spread beyond the borders of Germany and is found throughout Europe and the United States. In Germany, the name is often spelled Schänke or Schäenke. It is also spelled Scheinke or Scheinkele in the United States.

This last name is common in Germany and Germans have played a significant role in American history, so more American families have adopted the name Schaenke over the years. It is also common among Americans of German heritage, particularly in Pennsylvania, the Midwest, and New York.

The Schaenke surname has been associated with numerous businesses, churches, and public offices throughout history. As the name spread around the world, it picked up other meanings and interpretations. In some cases, Schaenke means “little stream” or “well.” This reflects the water-related occupations of some members of the family.

No matter what its origin, the Schaenke surname is steeped in history and is a reminder of the Germanic heritage of many American families today.

Schaenke: Where does the name Schaenke come from?

The last name Schaenke is primarily a German-language surname. According to Ancestry.com, it is most commonly found in Germany and the Czech Republic today. In Germany, it is most concentrated in the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, followed by Thuringen and Bayern. It is also found in small numbers in other nearby countries, including the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, and Poland.

When searching for occurrences of Schaenke outside of Europe, it is found mainly in the United States and Canada. Research indicates that this surname was brought to North America by German immigrants between the mid-1800s and the early 1900s. The highest frequency of Schaenke is found in the state of Wisconsin, followed by Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa. Additionally, there are numerous records of Schaenkes who emigrated to other parts of the United States during this time, such as California, Utah, Texas, and New York.

Schaenke is also found in South American countries where German immigrants settled in the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Furthermore, records of the Schaenke name exist in countries such Australia and New Zealand, where German immigrants also arrived in the late 1800s.

Overall, the last name Schaenke is primarily concentrated in Europe and areas where German immigrants have settled, such as the United States, Canada, South America, and Australasia.

Variations of the surname Schaenke

The surname Schaenke is a German locational name, referring to a person who originally hailed from a place named "Schaenke". Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

Schank: This variant spelling is most commonly seen in Switzerland as well as in the United States.

Schancke: This variant spelling is also widely used in the United States, as well as other countries such as Canada, Australia, and Germany.

Schaunke: This variant spelling is most frequently seen in Germany.

Scheink: This variant spelling is seen mainly in the United States.

Scheinken: This variant spelling is also seen mainly in the United States.

Schonke: This variant spelling is primarily found in the United States.

Schonken: This variant spelling is seen mainly in the United States.

Schuenke: This variant spelling is commonly seen in Germany.

Shancke: This variant spelling is most frequently seen in the United States.

Schanke: This is the more traditional spelling of the surname, seen primarily in Germany.

Schanck: This variant spelling is similarly seen primarily in Germany.

Shank: This variant spelling is most commonly seen in the United States.

Shonke: This variant spelling is also seen mainly in the United States.

Shonck: This variant spelling is most frequently seen in the United States.

Other surnames related to and descended from the original Schaenke surname include: Schenke, Schanke, Schenck, Schenk, Schonck, Shank, Shonck, Sheink, and Sheinken. Each of these surnames may have different variants with slight differences in spelling, but they all descended from the Schaenke surname.

Because of the variations in spelling, it is difficult to accurately track the origin of these surnames. Nonetheless, they are all genealogically linked, as they all share the same original German origin in some form.

Famous people with the name Schaenke

• Chuck Schaenke: The former chief executive of a US rubber company.
• Donna Schaenke: American competitive figure skater.
• Taylor Schaenke: American ice hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• Eric Schaenke: American professional Magic: The Gathering player.
• Andy Schaenke: American voice actor, director and musician.
• Greg Schaenke: American Olympic weightlifter who won a silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
• Joe Schaenke: American competitive amateur wrestler and MMA fighter.
• Ric Schaenke: German biathlete who competed in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics.
• Richard Schaenke: German athlete who competed mainly in the decathlon.
• Bridgette Schaenke: American actor and director.
• Peter Schaenke: German cross-country skier who competed in the 1970s and 1980s.
• Eric Schaenke: American indoor volleyball player.
• William Schaenke: American visual special effects supervisor.
• Judy Schaenke: Chief Advancement Officer at the J. Paul Getty Trust.
• Walt Schaenke: American football coach who was the head football coach at Indiana State University from 1974 to 1975.
• Dave Schaenke: American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.
• Dale Schaenke: Former National Hockey League player.
• Jennifer Schaenke: American archer who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Other surnames

Schaenker