Surname Hawke - Meaning and Origin

Hawke: What does the surname Hawke mean?

The last name Hawke is an English surname derived from the Middle English word “hawke” meaning a hawk, a large and powerful bird of prey. It was originally used as a nickname for someone thought to possess characteristics associated with the hunting bird, such as strength, nobility, or courage.

Hawke is a fairly common last name and can be found in both England and Ireland, with the name often having different spellings such as Hawk, Hawkes, or Hawkesworth. Other derivations of the name are believed to come from the English word “hoak” meaning corner, as in a triangle-shaped piece of land (akin to a hawk’s talons) or from “hac” meaning enclosure or wood.

In some areas, including the West Riding of Yorkshire, the last name Hawke has a Scottish or Norse origin, stemming from the term “hafoc” meaning hawk. The name can also be a variant of the surname Haux, which in turn is a variation of the French word for a hawk “halc”. In addition, the name Hawke is a popular name in Wales, possibly stemming from the Anglo-Saxon “hoc”, meaning hawk.

Throughout history, the name Hawke has been borne by many prominent figures, such as English Brooker Hawke, a pirate and privateer who sailed the Caribbean in the 1600s; Elizabeth Hawke, a doughty Englishwoman whose bravery during a siege earned her special mention in a Royal Proclamation in 1688; Benjamin Hawke, a New Zealand merchant and politician in the early 1800s; and, of course, the famous Australian actor and motorcyclist, Steve Hawke.

Overall, the last name Hawke is an ancient and noble one, with a variety of meanings and origins, and has served as a surname to many proud and talented individuals throughout the centuries.

Hawke: Where does the name Hawke come from?

The Hawke name is most commonly associated with Australia and South Africa.

In Australia, the Hawke name most likely originates from Englishman Edward Hawke, who migrated to Van Diemens Land (now Tasmania) in 1825. With many people bearing the surname Hawke living in Australia today, most are linked to him in some way.

The Hawke family was well known during the 20th century when the late Bob Hawke was prime minister of Australia from 1983 to 1991. Today, his son, Stephen, is a successful businessman, and his daughter, Rosslyn, is an author.

In South Africa, the Hawke name is derived from the Dutch settlers of the late 17th century. There are still many descendants of the original Hawke family in South Africa today, mainly located in the Western Cape and around Johannesburg.

In addition to Australia and South Africa, it is also possible that the Hawke surname is present in some English cities. Many migration records show people with the name Hawke coming from England to Australia in the mid 19th century, so it is likely that some of these families have stayed in their original locations.

The Hawke name is not common in North America, but due to the large number of immigrants coming to the region from Europe and other parts of the world, the surname could appear occasionally.

All in all, the Hawke surname is most prominently found in Australia and South Africa, and there may be smaller pockets of families with the same last name in England and other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Hawke

The surname Hawke is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘haga’, which means a small area of woodland, usually enclosed. This surname was common in Britain during the Middle Ages. The variants and spellings of this surname include Hawke, Hahk, Hauke, Hawk, and Hawkes. There are also several surnames that have derived from this surname, such as Hawkwood, Hawkins, Hawkinson, and Hawkings.

Some variations of this surname used in different countries are Hauck (Germany), Haug (Norway), Haugh (Scotland), Hawkes (United States and Canada), and Haux (Australia). It’s possible there could be different spelling variations of the same name in other countries, as spelling conventions have evolved over time and multiple spellings could have been used for the same name.

Hawke is also believed to have been an occupational surname, referring to a hawk-keeper. In Britain, this job often fell to an individual on the estates of noble families, to help with the hunt. As such, surnames starting with Hawk or Hawke are often linked to landowning families or aristocracy.

In old English documents, the Hawke surname can be spelt in various ways, including Hake, Haake, Hawke, Hauke, Hacc, Hack, Hauck, Hak, Hake, Haak and Hacks. This shows how varied and confusing surnames can be and how they can change over time.

Famous people with the name Hawke

• Ethan Hawke: Ethan Hawke is an Oscar-nominated actor, writer, and director from Austin, Texas. He has appeared in films such as Training Day, Boyhood, and Before Sunrise.
• Uma Thurman: Uma Thurman is an Oscar-nominated actress from Massachusetts. She is best known for her roles in films such as Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, and Gattaca. Her father is part-Native American with the last name of Hawke.
• Ben Hawke: Ben Hawke is a professional stuntman and actor. He has performed stunts in films such as The Amazing Spider-Man, Jurassic World, and Furious 7.
• Holly Hawke: Holly Hawke is a Canadian actress best known for her roles in films such as The Big White, Juno, and Lady in the Water.
• Robyn Hawke: Robyn Hawke is a Canadian music producer and songwriter who has worked with musicians such as Celine Dion, Madonna, and Faith Hill.
• Flint Hawke: Flint Hawke is a Canadian songwriter and producer. He has produced music for artists such as Justin Timberlake, USher, and Lady Gaga.
• Macon Hawke: Macon Hawke is a Canadian composer and electronic musician who has composed music for films such as The Butterfly Effect and XXX.
• Addison Hawke: Addison Hawke is an actress who has appeared in films such as Queen of the Damned and Spider-Man 3.
• Peter Hawke: Peter Hawke is an Australian environmentalist and the founder of the grass-roots environmental organization Conservation Volunteers.
• Brett Hawke: Brett Hawke is an Australian coach and former competitive swimmer. He competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Other surnames

HawkHawkenHawkensHawkerHawkesHawkfordHawkinHawkinesHawkingHawkingsHawkinsHawkinsonHawkisHawkridgeHawkriggHawksHawksfordHawksleyHawkyns