Surname Voelzke - Meaning and Origin

Voelzke: What does the surname Voelzke mean?

The last name Voelzke is derived from a pre-13th century Germanic personal name, which was most likely a diminutive of a name containing the element "vald," meaning "rule." This means that the earliest recorded bearers of the Voelzke surname were likely the children of a person named either Vladimir or Waldo.

In the early Middle Ages, the name Voelzke was likely a personal name, a nickname, or a sobriquet given to someone to denote their character or physical appearance. Over time, the name Voelzke evolved into a hereditary surname that was passed from father to son. Its earliest documented appearance in German records is in 1403, when Johannes Voelcke was mentioned in the tax registers of Reuss-Greiz.

Since then, the Voelzke name has spread from Germany to other countries such as the United States, where it can be found among families of German, Swedish, and Dutch descent. It has also been modified and adapted to other languages, such as the variants Volske, Voolse, and Vanity in Dutch, and Voltzke in German.

Today, the Voelzke name is a widely used surname in Germany and the United States, generally seen as a sign of pride and respected heritage among those who bear it. It stands as a reminder of the many generations of Voelzkes who came before, and of the traditions, values, and stories they passed down.

Voelzke: Where does the name Voelzke come from?

The last name Voelzke is most commonly found in Germany and parts of Eastern Europe. It is an alternative spelling for the last name of Voelcke, which is a spelling variation of Voelkel, a German name.

It is thought to have originated in East Prussia, which was a former German province that is now mostly located in Poland and the Kaliningrad region of Russia. It became popular because it was linked to well-known East Prussian families, like the Voelkel’s of Mühlhausen, a wealthy family who had a large farm in the area.

Today, the Voelzke surname is mainly seen in Germany, especially lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and in other parts of central and northern Germany. It is also seen in some parts of western Poland, Lithuania and in other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, including Belarus, Estonia and Latvia.

In the United States, the surname Voelzke is not extremely common. It can, however, be found in areas with relatively high concentrations of German ancestry, such as Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

The Voelzke name has also been passed down to descendants outside of Europe. A number of entry points for this name are identified in records from countries such as Canada, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico.

Variations of the surname Voelzke

The variant spellings and surnames of Voelzke include Volzke, Volzki, Foelzke, Fölzke, Voelzel, Völzke, Völzki, Voelzki, Völzel, Voelzkel, Fölzki, and Völzkel.

This German surname is derived from the Middle Low German word “voele,” which means “fitter.” It was likely first used as an occupational name for someone who installed and repaired clocks or robots. Since its origin, the surname has evolved in many forms and has been used in various countries, including Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States.

In Germany, the spelling Voelzke is most common and is seen frequently in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg. Other versions of the surname, like Volzke, can also be seen in Germany.

In Switzerland, the version Fölzke is seen most often, with many residents bearing this name originating from Canton Bern.

In the United States, the most common spellings of the surname are Voelzel and Voelzki. People with this surname can be found in the states of Wisconsin, Nebraska, and New York.

No matter which variant or spelling is used, the origin of the surname is the same and many researchers believe they all share the same roots.

Famous people with the name Voelzke

• Mady Voelzke: Mady Voelzke is a German television actress, best known for her work in the television series “Tatort Munich” as Inspector Kirchner.
• Christian Voelzke: Christian Voelzke is a German opera singer and actor, who has performed roles in several opera and operetta productions as well as musicals in various stages in Germany.
• Nathan Voelzke: Nathan Voelzke is an American multi-instrumentalist and founder/lead guitarist of progressive rock band Signal 2 Noise.
• Lutz Voelzke: Lutz Voelzke is a German historian and professor at the University of Göttingen, specialising in urban, social, and economic history.
• Jürgen Voelzke: Jürgen Voelzke is a German writer, primarily of short stories. His writing tends to focus on rural life, and he has been awarded several literary prizes for his works.
• Hans-Martin Voelzke: Hans-Martin Voelzke is a German politician, currently serving on the Bundestag, or German Parliament, as a representative for the state of Brandenburg.
• Hans Voelzke: Hans Voelzke was a German painter and sculptor active in the early 20th century, centering his works around metaphysical topics.
• Moritz Voelzke: Moritz Voelzke is a German film composer and producer. He has composed several scores for television shows and films, including the score for the 2019 German Netflix film, The Art of Stealing.
• Gregorius Voelzke: Gregorius Voelzke was a German priest, humanist, and diplomat in the court of Emperor Charles V. He was one of the main influences of the Reformation in Germany.
• Willem Voelzke: Willem Voelzke is a Dutch actor, known for his roles in the television series “SpangaS” and “Matula.” He was also featured in the feature film “The Sandman and the Lost Sand of Dreams.”

Other surnames

VoelzVoelzerVoelzmann