Surname Winke - Meaning and Origin
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Winke: What does the surname Winke mean?
The last name Winke is of German origin. Derived from the Middle High German word winche, which means "corner" or "room," Winke can also indicate someone who lived near a corner or in a particular corner house. It is also believed to come from the Old High German word 'vingen' meaning a village or meadow.
In terms of modern day usage, Winke is mainly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as in other countries with a strong association to German culture. In Germany, it is most commonly found in the areas of Westphalia, Northern Rhineland, the Saxon Alps, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
In terms of past usage, records indicate that there may have been a Winke family living in the former East Prussia in the 1800s. The Winke people were usually farmers, and between the 17th and 19th centuries, it was not unusual for a family to take on this name and move to a neighboring village.
As an occupational name, Winke may have denoted someone having a connection to wine production. Alternatively, it may have been used to refer to a political or economic position, such as “Wincheller” (literally corner-holder) or a stronghold holder. It could also have been used to refer to someone who lived on the edge of a village.
The last name Winke is a proud indication of German heritage and culture, and it carries a unique history that many people in today's world can take pride in.
Order DNA origin analysisWinke: Where does the name Winke come from?
The last name Winke is most common in northern Germany, especially around the regions of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. Winke is also quite common in the Netherlands and northern Belgium. It is likely that the name originated in these regions, but its exact origin is uncertain.
The name Winke is an occupational surname originating from the Middle Low German language, meaning “to winch” or “winder.” A winch is a device used to lift and lower heavy objects, and it was likely used by the first people with the last name Winke. It has probable that they were in some form of export-import trade with surrounding areas.
Although Winke is still quite common in northern Germany today, it is also found in parts of the United States. The first record of it in the United States is the 1884 marriage record of Emlia Winke in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Recent census data suggests that Winke is most common in the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa, though there are also several Winke families living in California and Washington. There are likely more people with the last name Winke in the United States than anywhere else in the world.
Variations of the surname Winke
The surname Winke is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "winke" meaning bay, corner, or small nook. It is commonly found in the Rhine region, in what is known as the Palatinate, which is one of the oldest historic regions of Germany.
The following are the main variants of the surname Winke:
Wincke: This is the spelling used most commonly in the Rhineland region of Germany.
Wink: This variant of the surname is often used in parts of the United States and Canada.
Winck: This variant is primarily used in parts of Germany, as well as in many English-speaking countries. It is also seen in some parts of the former Soviet Union.
Wynka: This is a variant primarily used in parts of Eastern Europe, including Poland, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Russia.
Wenke: This relatively infrequent variant is mostly seen in parts of Austria and Bavaria.
Wenk: This is a variant of the surname that is used in some parts of Germany.
Van Winke: This variant is seen in some parts of the United States, and is of Dutch and Dutch-American origin.
Van Wink: This is another Dutch-American variant of the surname Winke.
Winkeler: This is an infrequently encountered variant of the surname.
There are a few surnames which have a similar origin to Winke, the most common of which are Winkelman, Winkler, and Winkelmann. These surnames are all ultimately derived from the same Middle High German word meaning corner, nook, or bay.
Famous people with the name Winke
- Mandy Winke: Mandy Winke is a professional golf caddie for the PGA Tour. She is the daughter of Don Winke, a longtime golf course superintendent.
- Erik Winke: Erik Winke was an American librarian and the director of the Newark Public Library from 1966 to 1981.
- Clint Winke: Clint Winke is an American actor and producer best known for his roles in the television series Better Off Ted and The Carrie Diaries.
- Kimberly Winke: Kimberly Winke is a former professional American tennis player. She represented the United States in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
- Don Winke: Don Winke is a retired professional golf course superintendent who was heavily involved in the golf industry for over fifty years.
- Verne Winke: Verne Winke is a former American basketball player who was an original member of the first-ever National Basketball Association (NBA).
- David Winke: David Winke is a tenor and voice educator. He performs both operatic and popular music in concerts and recitals.
- Mark Winke: Mark Winke is an American sculptor best known for his public artworks. He was awarded Ohio’s highest individual honor, the Governor’s Award in the Arts, in 1998.
- Curtis Winke: Curtis Winke is an American television producer and director, best known for his work on the sitcoms Roseanne and The Big Bang Theory.
- Tom Winke: Tom Winke is an American ice hockey player who was drafted in the 6th round of the 1997 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings.