Surname Wilke - Meaning and Origin
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My DNA journey with iGENEA unfolded a riveting tale of history, familial connection, and deep-rooted identity. As a Wilke, the DNA test connected me to an ancient lineage, unveiling a narrative rich with historical events and cultural interactions. The experience was emotionally overpowering, stirring within me feelings of awe, curiosity, and a newly kindled kinship with my forebears.
G. Wilke
read moreWilke: What does the surname Wilke mean?
The last name Wilke is of German origin and its meaning can be roughly translated to "will." It is derived from the German given name Wilhelm, which has its roots in the Old German name Willehalm. Additionally, the German name Wilhelmi is composed of the words "wil," meaning will, and "helm," meaning helmet or protection. As such, the surname Wilke could be interpreted to mean one who is strong and courageous.
The surname Wilke is fairly common in Germany as well as in the United States. According to one source, Wilkes are mainly concentrated in the North-Rhine Westphalia state, with some pockets in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Hesse.
In the United States there is some debate about the origin of the Wilke surname. As one source suggests, the general consensus is that Wilke families originate from either Germany or Switzerland. Some Wilkes may have also arrived in America from Denmark, Sweden, or other Scandinavian countries.
In Germany, the heraldic symbol associated with the Wilke surname is a green lion standing on its hind legs between two gold conical anchors. Beyond heraldic symbols, the Wilke family motto is "Unity Is Strength." Altogether, the Wilke surname can be interpreted as a symbol of fortitude and power. Its roots signify the strength and courage of its original bearers, as well as the potential those individuals have to bring about positive change in their families, communities, and the world at large.
Order DNA origin analysisWilke: Where does the name Wilke come from?
The last name Wilke is most commonly found in Germany today. According to the 2019 Name Statistics Database, this surname is most heavily concentrated in the northern regions of the Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse, with the city of Darmstadt being its most populous location. Furthermore, the genealogical database, FamilySearch, has over 87,000 records of individuals with this surname, further solidifying its popularity in Germany's northern regions. Wilke is an old Low German name, deriving from the word "wik," which means "puddle" or "small body of water," likely referring to an ancestor's physical location as well as his occupation.
This German surname is also found in countries outside of Germany, including the United States, Argentina, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and the Czech Republic. In the United States, the name is mainly concentrated in the States of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, all areas with a heavy German-American population. In Argentina, Wilke is primarily concentrated in Buenos Aires and Misiones. In the Czech Republic, Wilke is most heavily concentrated in the city of Prague, while in the United Kingdom this surname is mainly found in London.
In conclusion, the last name Wilke is most popular in Germany today and is generally found in other countries with large German populations. It is an old surname, believed to be derived from the Low German word "wik," and is associated with a family's former place of residence and occupation.
Variations of the surname Wilke
The surname Wilke is of German origin and derived from the medieval first name Wilhelm. Variants of the surname Wilke include Wilkes, Wilkie, Wilkens, Wilkins, Wilkison, Wilks, Wilkerson, Wilkeson and Wilkson.
The version of the surname Wilke that is found most commonly in Germany is Wilken, with Wilke being the version found most commonly in other countries, such as in the United States.
Alternate spellings of Wilke include Wilcken, Wilkken, Wilcke, Wilckens, Wilck, Wilkson, Wilckes, Wilkesen, Wilckerson, Wilcone, Wilcoxen, Wielke, Wikke and Wilkiesen.
Surnames of similar origin to Wilke include Wilhelm, Wilhelmi, Willemsen, Wulff, Willem, Wulffen, Wulpher, Wulf, Wolfe, Wolfhorn, Wolff, Wolfarth, Wolfhart, Volckmann, Wullaw, Wullphp, Waller, Wallisch and Walts.
Many of these surnames are also found in different countries and have been adapted to their culture or language. For example, Wilcox is an alternate spelling found among English-speaking families in the United States, Wilhelm is a spelling found among French-speaking people, and Wilckens is a spelling common in Scandinavian countries.
Famous people with the name Wilke
- Uwe Wilke: German track and field athlete
- Jenna Wilke: American actress and filmmaker
- Marius Wilke: German record producer and music engineer
- Sonja Wilke: German actress
- Emily Wilke: American competitive figure skater
- Karl Wilhelm Wilke: German painter
- Hans Frank Wilke: German physicist
- Egon Wilke: German chess master
- Jan Wilke: German musician
- Bill Wilke: American drag racer