Surname Wernke - Meaning and Origin
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Wernke: What does the surname Wernke mean?
The last name Wernke is a German surname, derived from the Middle High German word “wernken,” which means “to defend” or “to protect.” It is believed to have started as an occupational surname for someone who worked as a security guard, or who was hired to protect a business or property. It may also have been adopted as a last name by someone who lived in the town of Wernke, which is located in northern Germany.
In some German families, the last name Wernke may have been associated with a hereditary position, such as a police officer or guard, or may have been adopted by a son taking his father's first name. Today, the name may also be adopted by descendants of immigrants from Germany to other countries, and by families who have cutsified their last names to Wernke from its original form.
The name is still quite common in some parts of Germany, especially in the state of Lower Saxony. In the United States, it is most commonly found in states with large German-American populations, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
Overall, the last name Wernke suggests a family with a long history of defending and protecting, and a strong connection to Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisWernke: Where does the name Wernke come from?
The last name Wernke is most common in Germany, and its concentration in Germany is significantly greater than in other countries.
In 2019, the largest number of people with the last name Wernke populated the Saxony-Anhalt region of central Germany. According to German genealogy records, nearly 1,000 Wernkes live in this region.
The Wernke surname is also found with regular frequency in several other German states, including Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
Outside of Germany, the Wernke name does not appear with any significant frequency. In the United States, for instance, the last name Wernke is found primarily in small pockets in Illinois and North Dakota. There is a similarly small presence in Canada, largely in Ontario.
Overall, the Wernke name is still primarily found in Germany, and there is no indication that its distribution is expanding geographically beyond its base in central Germany.
Variations of the surname Wernke
The surname Wernke is an ancient German name from the language of the Franks. It derives from the word "werin" or "weren," meaning defending or guarding, likely from the words for guard, warrior, or defender. It is also related to the Old German word "winke," meaning bend or curve, likely referring to the origin of the family from a physical place.
Wernke is one of the oldest surviving surnames in Germany, as families with this name can be traced back to the 12th century in Franconia. Variations of the surname include Wernecke, Wernicke, Wernick, and Wernik.
The spellings Werneck, Wernoack and Wernock are also related. This surname is also found in other countries, most famously in the United States with the spellings Warren, Warner, Wornick and Wearne. It is also found in England as a variation of Warren, with spellings such as Wearn, and Wernick.
The Wernke family can also be found in France, where they were known as Warnier. In Russia, Wernke became known as Vernik, Vernikov, and Vernikovsky. In Poland, the name is spelled Wernik, Wernikowski, and Wernicki.
Finally, the variations of the surname in the Netherlands include Wernsen, Wernsen, Wernink, Wernsen-Kool, Weernink, Vernink and Vernsten.
In all its forms, the surname Wernke, and its variations, is a testament to one of the oldest and longest-lasting family lines in Europe.
Famous people with the name Wernke
- Alexander Wernke: Historian and Professor at Oregon State University, specializing in American studies, public history, and military studies.
- Dwight Wernke: Professional basketball player from the 1940s and 1950s.
- Janine Wernke: German professional show jumper.
- Nathaniel Wernke: American football offensive lineman.
- Panos Wernke: Hollywood actor and producer.
- Anthony Wernke: Musician, songwriter, and producer.
- Michael Wernke: Skier and Olympic silver medalist from Canada.
- Jacob Wernke: Postmaster and politician from Nebraska.
- Donna Wernke: Award-winning author of romantic fiction.
- Earl Wernke: Golf pro, golf course owner, and coach in Michigan.