Surname Kecke - Meaning and Origin
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Kecke: What does the surname Kecke mean?
The last name Kecke is an occupational surname specific to Germany. It originated as a way to describe someone who worked at a church or church-owned farmland. The name is derived from the Old High German word 'koba', which means 'church' or 'church estate'. This could refer to someone who was a church property manager and in charge of assessing and collecting taxes from landowners. The name may also refer to someone working in a church-owned mill or brewery.
In earlier history, the name 'Kecke' may have been spelled differently and has evolved over time. Variations of the name include Kekke, Keckel, Keck, Kekl and Keckle.
Alternate etymologies also suggest the name Kecke could be derived from a personal name, such as 'Kuddoch', which is an Old High German word for beloved. This meaning would likely apply more to the recorded instances of the name in the 17th century, when personal names were sometimes used for surnames.
The name Kecke is still in use today, with the most common modern spelling being 'Keck'. The name is quite rare, with only 5,000 to 10,000 people worldwide bearing the name. Most of them still reside in their home nation of Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisKecke: Where does the name Kecke come from?
The last name Kecke is most commonly found in the eastern part of Europe, particularly former East German-speaking countries such as Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia, although it’s become increasingly popular in other parts of the world such as the United States and Canada. In terms of the total number of individuals who bear the name, it’s not one of the most widespread family names.
Kecke first appears to have been used in reference to the Kaczka river (a tributary of the Oder in Poland) which is why it’s most closely associated with places like Silesia and Pomerania. In particular, it follows a Polish spelling of the name but variations of the spelling of the name can be seen throughout the surnames of areas it’s found in.
Kecke is also a surname found in several, smaller, more rural areas within those countries branch off of larger towns and cities. Families associated with the name Kecke often have roots going back several generations in those areas, and are seen as significant members of the community.
It is also used as a given name in certain regions, although not always as frequently. As a given name, variations such as Kekko, Keka and Ceka have become increasingly popular in recent times.
As a result, as families with Kecke roots in Eastern Europe leave those countries to pursue new lives elsewhere, it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact geographic location where the last name is common today, although it can be generally found in the places previously mentioned.
Variations of the surname Kecke
Kecke is an uncommon German surname which is derived from kecke, a word meaning 'bold, brave, and defiant.' Variants of this surname include Keckel, Keckelmann, Keckeisen, Keckeln, Keckele, and Keckelhahn. Other spellings of the surname include Keccken, Kekke, Keckeman, Keckelman, Keckelmann, Keckeisen, Keckelen, Keckel, Keckelhohn, and Keckelhann. Spelling variations of this surname developed over time as one family tree branched out.
Surnames that are of the same origin as Kecke include Kucke, Kucken, Kecken, Kuecke, Kuken, and Kueckel. These surnames also derive from the German word kecke and are alternative spellings of the name. Since the area in which the surname originated was rural and most of the records at the time were kept orally, it is not uncommon for variations of spellings of the same surname to exist.
Although all of these variations have the same origin, they are different surnames that can be seen in different countries. For example, Kecke is present in Germany and Switzerland, while Kucke is found in Austria and Kuecke is more common in areas such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Kecke
- Johannes Keckeis: is an Austrian footballer who plays for Austrian side Sturm Graz.
- Adam Keckeis: a Polish former footballer.
- Wolfgang Keckeis: Austrian skiing legend, winner of many competitions.
- Christian Keckeis: Austrian rally driver who has taken part in many national and European rallies.
- Gerhard Keckeis: former Austrian footballer and coach.
- Max Keckeis: an Austrian political figure, served as governor of Styria from 2016-2020.
- Johann Keckeis: Austrian painter, sculptor and architect.
- Bernhard Keckeis: an Austrian violinist and composer.
- Stephan Keckeis: an Austrian journalist and author.
- Johannes Keckeis: an Austrian football referee, currently refereeing in the Austrian Bundesliga.
- Reinhold Keckeis: a German police officer, serving as the Federal President of the German Police Federation.
- Michael Keckeis: Austrian professional cyclist, competed in the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia.
- Erich Keckeis: Austrian actor, appeared in more than 25 films and television series.
- Heinrich Keckeis: former Austrian football player and world champion.
- Lukas Keckeis: Austrian tennis player, winner of many tournaments throughout Europe.