Surname Spilke - Meaning and Origin
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Spilke: What does the surname Spilke mean?
The last name Spilke is of German origin and its literal meaning is ‘split’ or ‘splinter’. This is a common surname in Germany, especially in the eastern part. It is derived from the Old German word ‘splittan’, which means ‘to split’. This suggests that the surname could have been used to describe a family of woodcutters or carpenters.
The name Spilke is quite rare in the United States and is not part of the 1000 most common surnames. It is also a relatively rare name in Germany, with only about 400 people having the surname. It is more common in other countries in Europe such as Austria, Denmark, Norway, and Switzerland.
The Spilke surname can be found in records as early as the 16th century. People with this name are believed to have come from the Prussian state of Hesse and immigrated to America in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The Spilke surname evokes the idea of being industrious, hardworking, and highly skilled. It also stands for a strong work ethic, a commitment to making things happen, and the ability to persevere no matter what life throws their way. People with this last name can be proud of their hard-working roots and are sure to make an impact in anything they set their minds to.
Order DNA origin analysisSpilke: Where does the name Spilke come from?
The last name Spilke is commonly found in Germany today, as this name originated in this country centuries ago. It initially began as a patronymic name derived from the name 'Spilko,' which was adapted from the Germanic spilko, meaning 'man of good humor.'
This last name can be found particularly frequently in the northern part of Germany, particularly in Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein. It is also common in nearby regions of Denmark, the Netherlands, and Poland.
The variant spellings of Spilke are also common, including Spilcken, Spilken, Spillke, and Spillken.
As time went on and more German emigrants spread around the world due to social, economic, and political issues, the last name Spilke spread further afield. People from this family are now found around the United States, particularly in New York, Pennsylvania, and California, as well as in countries such as Australia, Canada, and Brazil.
Therefore it can be said that the surname Spilke is still quite common in Germany and in many other countries throughout the world that are inhabited by German descendants.
Variations of the surname Spilke
The surname Spilke has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common form is Spilke, which is derived from the Middle High German "spilke," meaning a little point or spike. However, some other variations of the surname include Spelke, Speilke, Spillke, Spilka, Spilk, Spillke, Spilka, and Spillka. In some cases, the spelling may be altered slightly to better suit the individual's dialect or spelling preference. For example, Spilleke, Spillek, and Spillick may be seen.
Additionally, many of these variants have surnames of similar origins, such as Spille, Spilleth, Spilker, Spillers, Spillmann, Spillner, Spilick, and Spilye. These surnames tend to be derived from the same Middle High German meaning of "point” or "spike.” However, in some cases, the surnames may also have been derived from a place name or toponym, with the prefixes of Spille/Speil/Spell slightly modified for ease of pronunciation or in order to suit the local dialect.
In some cases, the surname may also have originated from a given name, such as Spillkurt or Spilkaart, which were two popular German given names derived from the word “spilke.” In these cases, the spelling could have evolved over time as individuals moved and changed locations.
In conclusion, the surname Spilke has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, such as Spelke, Speilke, Spillke, Spilka, Spilk, Spillke, Spilka, Spillka, Spilleke, Spillek, Spillick, Spille, Spilleth, Spilker, Spillers, Spillmann, Spillner, Spilick, and Spilye. Additionally, some of these spellings may have originated from a place name, while others may be derived from a given name.
Famous people with the name Spilke
- Christian Spilke: German professional football player
- Dimitri Spilke: Russian ice hockey player
- Martin Spilke: German hurdler
- Katja Spilke: German musician
- Nico Spilke: German starting pitcher
- Horst Spilke: German actor
- Willi Spilke: German bobsledder
- Petra Spilke: German discus thrower
- Veit Spilke: German long distance runner
- Klaus Spilke: German footballer