Surname Meincke - Meaning and Origin
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Meincke: What does the surname Meincke mean?
The last name Meincke is a German surname originating from the Middle Ages. The earliest traces of the Meincke surname date back to 1299 in Berlin, Germany. Meincke is derived from the personal name Manecke, which literally translates to "little man." It is believed to be a diminutive form of the name Mann or Manni, a popular given name in Norway and Germany.
Meincke has several alternate spellings including Meinke, Meinck, Meinken and Meincke, and likely some individual families adopted one of these spellings over time. It is also possible that the same family spellings varied, depending on the region in which they lived.
Meincke is a relatively common surname in Germany today, especially in the northern regions, indicating that the family is likely of German origin. This suggests that the name was likely kept within Germany and the wider region throughout its history, despite its potential spelling variations.
The Meincke surname symbolizes a proud German heritage that many families can trace their roots to and be proud of. The suffix –ke was likely chosen originally to commemorate its first bearer, showing that the family name has been tied to an individual who was held in high esteem within their community. For centuries, the Meincke name has enabled families to identify their past and celebrate their lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisMeincke: Where does the name Meincke come from?
The last name Meincke is primarily found in the Germany, particularly in the northern regions of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. The name is less common elsewhere, although there are small numbers of Meincke families in other countries particularly in Scandinavia, North America and South Africa. A number of variations of the Meincke surname can be found, including Mink, Meinke and Meinhardt.
In Germany, the Meincke name is most likely derived from the Middle Low German word Minke, which in turn was derived from the name of a Slavic ruler named Menzko. It is likely that German peoples who were settled in the area of what is now Schleswig-Holstein assimilated this name as they interacted with the Slavic people in the area.
It is likely that the small number of Meincke families outside of Germany are descended from German immigrants who left the country in the 17th and 18th centuries. These immigrants were often attracted to the economic opportunities provided by the newly established colonies in the New World, and many ended up in present-day North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
It is apparent that the Meincke name is still common in the northern regions of Germany, and while there are limited numbers of Meincke families beyond these borders, it is clear that the name has a long-standing history in the area that is sure to continue for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Meincke
Meincke is a German surname, deriving from Main, and is also sometimes spelled Meinke or Meinken. Common variants on the name Meincke also include Miencke and Meynke, as well as Meink and Meyne.
More rare variants of the surname Meincke can include Maenck, Menge, Maenge, Meinck, Maenke, Mallincke, Meincks, Mainke, Maenken, Maenk, Mannken and Meinichen.
Surnames with the same or similar origin sometimes spelled differently can include Mains, Mainser, Maehnke, Mannke, Mennicken, Menken, Maenig, Manken, Maenoch, Maenche, Mannick and Menich.
Surnames varying in meaning can also include Maienk, Menech, Mauenke, Meynk, Maenckh, Meunke, Meynich, Meyncke, Menche and Mench.
Other German surnames which may have drawn inspiration from Meincke could include Mainusch, Maenich, Meihnke, Mienk, Meenken, Maennich, Menig, Monig, Maenkhausen, Menke, Menich and Mienchen.
Famous people with the name Meincke
- Frederick Christian Meincke: a prominent Danish entomologist from the 19th century who worked primarily on beetles.
- enacted Hermann Meincke: a German entomologist and arachnologist who studied the beetles of North Africa, Europe, and North America.
- Ida Meincke: a Danish actress and singer who appeared in numerous films and television shows.
- Katriona Meincke: a Scottish singer-songwriter best known for her jazz-influenced pop music.
- Johannes Meincke: a German author and playwright whose work is often focused on social and political themes.
- Alan Meincke: an American film producer who won multiple Emmy Awards for his work on reality shows such as Project Runway, The Voice, and So You Think You Can Dance.
- Joseph Meincke: a German painter who was part of the early Expressionist movement.
- Harald Meincke: a German author and journalist best known for his works on World War II and its aftermath.
- Carsten Meincke: a Danish pianist and composer noted for his arrangements of Danish folk songs.
- Matthias Meincke: a German architect who designed some of the most iconic buildings in Berlin such as the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.