Surname Streker - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Streker: What does the surname Streker mean?
The last name Streker (also spelled Strecker, Streyker, and Stryker) is of German, Dutch, and Scandinavian origin, and has been in the English-speaking world since the 17th century. It appears to have been used as a patronymic (a surname derived from a father's given name) in some cases.
The meaning of Streker is uncertain, but there are several possibilities. It could be derived from the German word "streichen," meaning "to strike" or "to paint," making it an occupational surname (for someone who makes a living striating or painting objects). Alternatively, it could derive from the German word "strecken," meaning "to stretch," possibly referring to someone who tended long products such as fabric.
The name could also be Dutch in origin, coming from the word "strijk," meaning "stroke," which may have been used to refer to a mailman. It may also have been derived from the Old Norse word "strykir," meaning "striker," which could have referred to a maker of arrows or spears.
No matter the origin, throughout the centuries, the last name Streker has been associated with a number of prominent people, such as Reinhold Strecker (a German chemist), Francis Strecker (an Australian tutor), and Abigail Strecker (the first female mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska).
Order DNA origin analysisStreker: Where does the name Streker come from?
The last name Streker is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Europe; Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, and Poland. In each of these countries, Streker can be a variant of Stryker, Strieker, and Strecker, all derived from a similar German root. According to Ancestry.com, the largest concentration of Streker family names is located in Germany.
Streker is also a common name in North America, with several thousand families in Canada and the United States. Canada has seen a higher influx of Streker immigrants in recent years, while the US has seen a slower growth rate.
Finally, Streker is a common name in countries such as Israel, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, mostly as a result of Jewish emigration from Germany, Austria and Switzerland pre-World War II.
Overall, the Streker name can be found in varying concentrations in countries throughout Europe, North America, Latin America, and Israel. Though Germany remains the largest center of Streker activity, its reach is still far and wide.
Variations of the surname Streker
The surname Streker, also spelled Streicher, originates from Germany and means one who works with a tool called a Striker. The Striker is an iron tool with a small head that is used to chisel and carve wood. Throughout the centuries, the surname has mutated into different spellings and also fused with other surnames, forming new lineages.
The most common derivatives of Streker include Stricker, Strickeri, Stricher, Striker, Strickeri-Strecker, Stricker-Ries, Stringer, Streckenheimer, Strecker, Strocher, Strohscheuer, Strucker, and Strückermann.
Several of these names are still found primarily in Germany and other parts of Europe, such as Strickeri, Streckenheimer, and Strückermann. Strecker is a very common spelling of the surname found in the United States and Canada, and Stringer is found primarily in British territories.
While Streker is the original spelling of the surname, the variants indicate that the surname has a long and complex heritage. Most of these names vary slightly depending on the region in which they are used, as well as the language of the country. Regardless, all of these names indicate a shared lineage and cultural heritage.
Famous people with the name Streker
- Jerry Stoker: American writer and producer of numerous television shows.
- Jim Streker: Former NFL and Arena Football League player.
- Michael Streker: German physician and researcher.
- Maria Streker: Russian classical pianist and composer.
- Mark Streker: American film director and writer.
- Thijs Streker: former Dutch professional football player.
- Marion Streker: Russian ballerina and choreographer.
- Thomas Streker: Swiss contemporary artist.
- Jan Streker: Dutch professional football player.
- Sebastian Streker: Austrian composer and performer.