Surname Tomke - Meaning and Origin
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Tomke: What does the surname Tomke mean?
The last name Tomke has various possible origins, all of which suggest a link to Germanic roots. One possibility is that the surname is derived from the given name Thomas, which means “twin” in Greek. This indicates that the original bearer had a twin. Another option is that the surname is a variation of the name “Tomme”, an old German word meaning “little.” Tomme was originally used as a nickname implying a short stature or small size. It is also possible that the name “Tomke” is a contraction of the name “Ketomme,” which means “atonement.” This suggests that the original bearer was someone who offered monetary compensation to another in order to resolve a dispute.
The surname Tomke has been in use in Germany for a long time, appearing in records dating back to 1399. It has been used by families living in traditional rural areas in the North Rhine-Westphalia province, and it is still used today in many parts of the country. In the United States, the surname Tomke is rare but is present in some parts of the country, notably the Midwest. These American-born families may have descended from German immigrants who arrived during the 19th century.
Order DNA origin analysisTomke: Where does the name Tomke come from?
The surname Tomke is most common in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. According to publically available data, it is the 721st most popular surname in Germany and the 1,567th most common surname in Austria. In Switzerland, it is the 2,597th most popular surname. It has also been found in various other European countries, such as Denmark, Poland, and Hungary as well as in Romania, although it appears much less often.
Tomke is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German noun tombe or tomme meaning "builder" or "carpenter". It is likely that it is a variant of the similarly-sounding surname Tomkiewicz, which is derived from the Slavic word tomka meaning "axe". It is possible that the name was adopted by people who worked in this field. It could also have been derived from the personal name Thomas.
The surname Tomke is rare in North America. There are only a few hundred bearers of the name in the United States and Canada. Most of them are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants who migrated from Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries, although others were born in North America.
The surname Tomke is not found in the Americas or the British Isles, although it may have been carried by some colonial settlers.
Variations of the surname Tomke
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Tomke are Tomkewicz, Tomczyk, Tomczak, Tomkiewicz, Tomke, Tomk, and Tomkovicz.
Tomkewicz is believed to be the most common variation of this surname. It originated as an occupational name for a blacksmith, from the Polish word "tomić," meaning to forge iron, and "wicz," meaning son of or descendant of.
Tomczyk is the second most popular spelling, often referring to an occupant who owned a village tavern. This variation is derived from the word "Czyk," meaning partridge or small bird, which is most likely associated with a loud establishment full of patrons.
Tomczak is the third most common variation of this name. It is believed to have been derived from the Polish word "Tom," meaning plum, and "czak," which is often used to indicate a small or petty ruler. This probably refers to somebody who managed a small farm or domain.
Tomkiewicz is another spelling that originates from the Polish word "Tomka," meaning large cow or ox, and "wicz," having the same meaning as stated earlier.
Tomke is a variant of the surname that was most popular in Lithuania in the 16th century.
Tomk, without the final “ewicz” is typical of the western Polish regions of Poznan and Wielkopralskie.
Tomkovicz is the least common spelling of the surname, originating likely from the Czech word "Tovmik," and "owicz" meaning son of. This could refer to somebody who managed a large estate or estate owner.
Famous people with the name Tomke
- Jim Tomke: American track and field athlete who competed in the men's discus throw at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games.
- Nelson Tomke: American music producer and songwriter, most notably for his work with the multi-platinum-selling band Paramore.
- William Tomke: German politician who served as a Member of the Bundestag from 1990 until 2005.
- Phillip Tomke: Australian musician, singer, and composer, best known for his work with the English rock band Supergrass.
- Max Tomke: German soccer player who played as a forward and midfielder for VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt.
- Jane Tomke: Canadian artist, photographer, and curator, who is best known as a founding member of the Western Front Society.
- Tomke Tomke: Danish professional footballer, who currently plays as a defender for FC Copenhagen.
- Maria Tomke: German weather presenter, actress, and model.
- Tyler Tomke: American photographer and filmmaker, whose work often focuses on dramatic landscapes and outdoor sports.
- Patrick Tomke: American voice actor who is known for his roles in the animated series Bayonetta.