Surname Reinke - Meaning and Origin
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Discoveries from my iGENEA DNA test have shone a mesmerising light onto my ancestral past, offering real insight into the origins and historical journey of my surname, Reinke. Provoking a sense of historical awe and wonder, my DNA journey has connected me to my lineage spanning centuries, taking me back to Northern Germany, Denmark, and parts of the Netherlands where my ancestors were known to have resided.
Z. Reinke
read moreReinke: What does the surname Reinke mean?
The surname Reinke is a German and Dutch topographic name for someone who lived or worked near a field or clearing planted with rye (from the German word 'Reinke', meaning 'rye'). The surname can also be from the term Reinken, which is an occupational name for a weaver of ribbons or silk.
In Germany, the surname is most commonly found in the districts of Nordrhein-Westfalen and Niedersachsen, while in Holland, it is mainly found in the northern provinces of Fryslan and Groningen.
Reinke is a common surname among today's Mennonites and Amish, and also can be associated with Ashkenazi Jews. It is believed that this surname originated from Jewish traders who lived in the German and Dutch areas hundreds of years ago.
Reinke is also a popular surname throughout North and South America, Canada and Australia due to German and Dutch emigration in the 17th and 18th centuries, eventually to the United States has a large number of Reinke families of German and Dutch descent.
The Reinke surname is known to have several variants, including Rynke, Canke, Ranke, Reingke, Reenke. Since its inception, the name has managed to remain popular in multiple countries, with Reinke families in Germany, United States, South America, Canada and Australia, among many other countries.
Order DNA origin analysisReinke: Where does the name Reinke come from?
The surname Reinke is primarily found in Northern Germany, particularly in the state of Lower Saxony. It is also present in large numbers in Bremen, Hamburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. In addition, the name is also common in Denmark and North America.
In Denmark, the Reinke surname is widespread across the country, with estimates of about 775 bearers in 2020. It is also common in the United States, with an estimated 11,000 bearers in 2020, and it is particularly prevalent in states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. The highest concentrations of the Reinke surname in the US are found in Wisconsin, with an estimated 3,000 bearers.
Reinke is a very ancient Germanic name. Its roots can be traced back to the regions of Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt before 1000 AD, where it was first mentioned in writing in the form of the family Reinke van Wittelsbach. The name is thought to come from the old Germanic word "renka" which translates to "strong", giving a meaning to the surname of "strong one".
Reinke is still a common surname today, particularly in Northern Germany and its neighboring countries, as well as North America. It is found in high numbers in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska in the United States, and throughout Denmark. The name has been present for centuries, with its roots dating back to antiquity, giving it a long and proud legacy.
Variations of the surname Reinke
Reinke is a German patronymic surname occasionally found in the United States. The name is derived from the personal name Reinke which originates from the Low German diminutive Reinka. This name may also have derived from German rinke, which means a small volume or measure.
Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for Reinke include Reincke, Rainke, Reinken, Rienke, Reincken, Renken, and Renick. These variants are typically found in Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as the Netherlands and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Reinke in the United States include, Rienke, Renken, Renick, Rynke, Rienken, Reinken, Reinkens, Rienck, Rainke, Riencken, Reinck, Reincken, Rainks, Rynek, and Renick. These variant spellings evolved over time due to typically spoken vs. written history, as well as human error when immigrants and their descendants had their names and identifying documents changed or transcribed to fit American naming conventions.
Reinke is a fairly uncommon name in the United States. As of 2018, it was the 17,811th most common surname in the United States, according to the US Census Bureau.
Famous people with the name Reinke
- Joe Reinke: National hockey player, graduated from Minnesota State University
- Jennifer Reinke: Former professional basketball player and sports analyst
- Joachim Reinke: Former professional footballer from Germany
- Ole Reinke: Nazi SS member, known as commander of Auschwitz concentration camps
- Kurt Reinke: German impressionist artist
- Steffen Reinke: German geologist, specialized in sedimentology
- Wilhelm Reinke: German composer and conductor
- Sir Peter Reinke: Businessman and philanthropist from New Zealand
- David Reinke: Musician and producer from Los Angeles
- Ferdinand Schluter Reinke: Physician and medical academic from Germany