Surname Spanhake - Meaning and Origin
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Spanhake: What does the surname Spanhake mean?
The last name Spanhake is of German origin, derived from the German language word "Spanhaken," which translates roughly to "fork clasp." The surname is believed to have been given to individuals who provided some kind of service related to metal forks. This type of service could have included forging, selling, or mending metal forks used in agriculture for harvesting hay.
It is unknown when the last name Spanhake appeared in Germany. However, records indicate that the first recorded use of ‘Spanhaken’ can be found in a court document from 1500 in the area of Leipzig, Germany.
Since the late 1800s, the last name Spanhake has spread to other parts of the world, as many individuals of German descent chose to emigrate due to conflict, famine, and poverty. In the United States, this surname is most prevalent in the Midwest and western states, especially in Wisconsin, Nebraska, and North Dakota.
Today, the surname Spanhake most likely points to the German heritage of those who bear the surname. It is an interesting reminder of the craftsmen of bygone eras, who used their skill with metal to provide the tools needed for everyday work.
Order DNA origin analysisSpanhake: Where does the name Spanhake come from?
The last name Spanhake is primarily found in Germany. The earliest known record of this name hails from the German state of Lower Saxony in the region of the Emsland. Spanhake is a former patronymic name derived from the old Germanic name Spankie, first found in the region of the Emsland in 1484. The name is still quite common in the German provinces today, with records of over 1000 citizens with the last name Spanhake living in the German states of Lower Saxony, Hamburg, and North Rhine-Westphalia in 2016.
The name has spread beyond the German border as well, and can be found in other lands primarily as a result of German immigration. In the United States, for instance, Spanhake is most commonly found in Wisconsin and Minnesota, states that have high populations of German immigrants. According to the US census, the name appears to have grown in popularity in recent years and is the last name of approximately 1250 citizens in the US today.
The name is also found in other countries in Europe, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In these countries the name is thought to have arrived with German immigrants in the early 1800s. Records show that there are over 600 Spanhakes living in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK combined.
Overall, the last name Spanhake can be found in many countries around the world, with its highest concentrations in Germany and the United States. It is still a relatively common last name, and its records can be traced back to the 14th century in the German state of Lower Saxony.
Variations of the surname Spanhake
Spanhake is an uncommon surname, likely of Germanic origin, but it may come from other parts of Europe as well. Though the spelling of the surname appears to be unique, there are a few different variants and spellings that may be found for this surname.
The most obvious variants of Spanhake include Spanheck, Spanhek, Spanhacke, Spanhack, Spahnake and Spanhackel. Other more obscure changes might include Spandeck, Spaneck, Spanack, Spanecke, and Spinhackel.
Sometimes the spelling can be confused with Spahn, which is an unrelated surname of Germanic origin.
In the past, people would often change or corrupt their surnames when they moved to different regions, countries, or even to different countries with different languages. It is possible that the Spanhake surname originated from a different spelling, given time and history, though no other known variants exist. It is also possible that the Spanhake surname is a variant of a much older and longer surname, long forgotten over time.
In terms of surnames of the same origin as Spanhake, some similar surnames include Spengler, Spanner, Spieker, and Spindel. All of these surnames have Germanic roots, with Spanhake likely being the most specific and unique. It is possible that the Spanhake surname was derived from one of these more generic origin surnames.
Famous people with the name Spanhake
- Jürgen Spanhake: a German engineer, computer scientist, and professor. He is the founder of the Berlin Institute for Advanced Study in Computer Science.
- Viola Spanhake: a German sculptor and artist who lives and works in Berlin.
- Joachim Spanhake: a German mathematician, professor, and researcher, best known for his contributions to the field of nonlinear partial differential equations and dynamical systems.
- Rudolf Spanhake: a German soldier and recipient of the Iron Cross during the First World War.
- Ingo Spanhake: a German businessman and entrepreneur who co-founded the digital agency NonsenseZwei and serves as its current CEO.
- Joyce Spanhake: a German singer, songwriter, and composer who has released several albums of classical music, pop, and rock.
- Hans Spanhake: a German author, poet, and philosopher whose works focus on the human experience and the evolution of consciousness.