Surname Weicke - Meaning and Origin
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Weicke: What does the surname Weicke mean?
The last name Weicke is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the Old German personal name Fastwig. The literal translation of the name is “strong” or “powerful”.
Initially, individuals with the Weicke surname may have acted as a protector for a particular area or group of people. It is likely that these individuals had a certain level of physical strength, which was why the name came to be associated with a stronger individual.
The name Weicke is mainly found in the southern part of Germany and Switzerland. It is thought that many of the original holders of the Weicke name were farmers, bakers, brewers, and traders. There are also various spellings of the surname Weicke, with Weiche, Weicher, Weeke, and Weiker being some of them.
The name Weicke usually denotes an individual who is confident and powerful. They are usually capable in any task that they undertake and can accomplish complicated tasks with relative ease. Weicke’s are often seen as an authority figure and tend to be quite popular with those who know them. They have a strong sense of self and are very independent. They hate the idea of being tied down and prefer to take on life with a sense of adventure.
Overall, the last name Weicke is a strong and confident one and is associated with powerful individuals who always strive to get the job done.
Order DNA origin analysisWeicke: Where does the name Weicke come from?
The last name Weicke is most commonly found in Germany today, especially in the northern and central regions. Records of the surname date back as far as the 13th century, and numerous variations in spelling are recorded throughout Germany, such as Weicher, Weicker, Weiche, and Wecke.
The Weicke surname most likely originated from the Middle High German word “weich”, meaning ‘soft’ or ‘tender’. It could have been used as an occupational name for someone who made a soft type of cheese or worked in a dairy, or it could have been a nickname for a gentle, kind-hearted person.
The Weicke family spread across Germany and into territories now part of western Russia and Baltic countries, as well as Austria, Switzerland, and France. By the 1700s, many Weickes had migrated to other countries, including the Netherlands and the United States.
In Germany today, Weicke is most prevalent in North Rhine-Westphalia in the Rhein-Ruhr region. The states of Bavaria, Berlin, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern also have significant populations of the surname.
Due to its Germanic roots, Weicke is also found in other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. In the United States, many Weickes settled in Texas, Illinois, California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Variations of the surname Weicke
The variant, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for surname Weicke include Weichel, Wicke, Weik, Weike, Weikle, Weakley, and Wickel. These are all derivatives of the German word “Weik,” which denotes being “collected” or “composed.”
The early versions of the name Weicke came about during the Middle Ages, when people began to take on descriptive surnames based on their occupation or personality. A person could have been called Weicke because of their composed nature and ability to remain composed in stressful situations.
Examples of bearers of the name Weicke are Ludwig Weicke (18th-century German-American immigration passenger), Nicholas Wickel (17th-century German immigrant who settled in Pennsylvania), and Joanna Weikel (20th-century American teacher).
Over time, the different spellings and variants become more varied. In fact, the Weicke name is now categorized as an Anglo-Saxon surname. This suggests that it was likely adopted by English-speaking individuals long after its origin in Germany.
As of today, the surname Weicke is spread throughout the world, with close to 10,000 individuals bearing the name. The majority of these people are located in Germany, followed by the United States, Austria, and Australia.
No matter the spelling or variant, the surname Weicke will always be linked to a composed nature, as well as a long history of migrations throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Weicke
- Gerhard Weicke: German politician
- Loriot Weicke: German musician
- Laura Weicke: American chef
- Julia Weicke: German artist
- Robert Weicke: German comedy writer
- Michael Weicke: German artist
- Bernhard Weicke: Austrian composer
- August Weicke: German mathematician
- Wolfgang Weicke: German actor
- Frank Weicke: German soccer player