Surname Wycke - Meaning and Origin
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Wycke: What does the surname Wycke mean?
The surname Wycke is of old English origin, derived from the word "wic," which means "settlement" or "village". It was often given to individuals who resided near or in a village or to a person who came from a town. It could also be occupational, designated to someone who was in charge of a settlement or a specific trade within a village. Surnames like Wycke were becoming increasingly common during the Middle Ages as governments introduced personal taxation. Thus, such names carried practical purposes of identification for tax collection. Variations of Wycke include Wyke, Week, Wieck, and others. Its spelling might have changed over time depending on the geographical location and local dialects. Over the centuries, this surname was widely spread across Europe, particularly in England and the Low Countries. Overall, the surname Wycke provides insights into the social, occupational, and residential history of the person's ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisWycke: Where does the name Wycke come from?
The last name Wycke is historically most common in the United Kingdom, particularly in its southern regions. The exact origin of the name remains unknown, however, due to the lack of surviving records and written sources from centuries past. It is believed to be derived from various sources and was generally used as a geographical descriptor or occupational term.
Today, the name Wycke can be found mainly in the states of England, Scotland, and Wales. There are also Wyckes living across Europe, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany. In the United States, the name is mainly concentrated in the midwest and east coast, especially in Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts, with a minor presence in other states like Michigan and Ohio.
Most of the Wyckes living in the United States are descended from those that emigrated from the United Kingdom in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many of their descendants have since spread out across the country, often changing their name or having it changed by an Ellis Island immigration officer.
Overall, the last name Wycke can be found predominantly in the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe, and the United States. With its long history, many individuals bearing the name across the world can trace their ancestry back generations and centuries.
Variations of the surname Wycke
The surname Wycke, sometimes spelled Wyck or Wicke, is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is thought to have originated from a place name referring to a "dwelling or outbuilding of some kind", derived from the Old English word "wyc" meaning a "dwelling".
Variants of Wycke include Wyckel, Wickel, Wykel and Wykell. In some cases, the surname Wyck may have arisen as a contraction of Wycke.
Early recorded bearers of the name Wycke include Edmund Wak of Worcestershire in 1300, Geofry Wyke in 1296 and John Wyck of Wiltshire in 1327. In some instances, the name Wycke may also have been an occupational name for a servant of someone known as Wicca or Wicce.
The surname may also have been used as a patronymic name derived from the personal name Wicga or Wicge. Patronymic surnames that evolved from Wycke include Wykett, Wyckett and Wyckard.
In some cases, the surname Wycke may also have been used as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname MacUiginn, which is composed of the elements of "Mac" meaning "son" and "Uiginn" meaning "Owen". This name may be Anglicised as McGee, MacGhee, McGwyne, MacGwyne, McEwain, McKeon and Wiggin.
In other instances, the surname Wycke may have been a translated version of the Dutch surname Keur, which is derived from the Dutch word "keur" meaning "choice. The surnames Keurwyck, Koorwyck, caused the transliteration of the name to Wycke.
Other surnames of similar origin include Wyckoff, Wiggin, Wegman, Wiggen and Weeck.
In summary, the surname Wycke has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Wyckel, Wickel, Wykel, Wykell, Wyckett, Wyckard, McGee, MacGhee, McGwyne, MacGwyne, McEwain, McKeon, Wiggin, Wyckoff, Wiggin, Wegman, Wiggen, Weeck and Keurwyck.
Famous people with the name Wycke
- singer/songwriter Dasha Wycke
- actress Alice E. Wycke
- model Bebe Wycke
- television producer Bill Wycke
- actor Jon Wycke
- actor Steve Wycke
- musician Robbie Wycke
- actor/producer Geoffrey Wycke
- television writer Ernie Wycke
- novelist Sam Wycke