Surname Dohnke - Meaning and Origin
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Dohnke: What does the surname Dohnke mean?
The last name Dohnke is of German origin and is derived from the word "Donken", which means "the edge of the forest" or "woodframe". It is believed that individuals bearing this name originated from the southern part of Germany, as there are records showing its presence there, around the 14th and 15th centuries in particular. Other theories state that the surname was adopted by people from other regions who chose to name themselves Dohnke due to their likelihood of occupation with forestry or hunting activities.
Throughout history the surname Dohnke has been associated with forestry and the forest-edge due to its historical meaning. Many people bearing this name were engaged in forestry and hunting due to an ancestral or family connection to the activity. This is further reinforced by the fact that many settlements containing individuals with the last name Dohnke are placed at the edge of forests.
At present, the surname Dohnke is less common in the U.S., however its presence in Germany is still strong. It is also seen in countries such as Austria and Switzerland. People bearing the surname Dohnke are seen employed in a diverse variety of positions, although it is likely many still stay connected to their ancestral legacy of forest associations in some capacity.
Order DNA origin analysisDohnke: Where does the name Dohnke come from?
The last name Dohnke is most common in Germany today. According to the website Forebears, it is most prominent in the countries of Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Currently, 38 people in the world carry the last name Dohnke. An estimate from Forebears suggests that there are approximately 330 people living in Germany with the last name Dohnke.
In Germany, Dohnke is especially prominent in the northern part of the country. According to the website Geneanet, the last name is the most commonly used in the region east of Hanover, in Lower Saxony, although it can be found across the nation.
The name Dohnke likely has its roots in the Germanic word donjon, which means “fortress.” It is also just another way of spelling the common German last name Dönke.
The last name Dohnke is still common in Germany, but it has spread far and wide throughout Europe and beyond in the last few centuries. In the US, records of the name go back to the late 1800s. It is likely to be most commonly found in states with large German immigrant populations, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Variations of the surname Dohnke
Dohnke is a Germanic-origin surname. It can be spelled and pronounced in many ways, depending on the region of origin. The most common variants of Dohnke are: Donke, Donk, Donck, Doncken, and Donkle. Other variants include Dönke, Döhncke, and Donkhe.
The surname Dohnke is most commonly encountered in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and the Scandinavian countries. Dohnke is derived from the Dutch word “donck,” which means a small island surrounded by water or marshy ground. This same root word is found in a variety of Dutch-language surnames such as Donckers, Donkers, Doonkers, etc.
Other surnames derived from and related to the Dohnke surname are Dannke, Dornke, Donnek, and Donneke. There are also some spelling variations such as Doncke, Doncker, and Donneker.
Dohnke is an old Germanic surname, first documented in the portals of Germany in about the 13th century. It is believed that the Dohnke surname was initially adopted by Dutch or Flemish settlers in Germany, and that the Germanic spelling Dohnke was later adapted by family members who emigrated around Europe.
The English-language surnames which are derived from the Dohnke surname are Dank, Dunk, Dunck, Donch, and Dunkle.
In summary, the various spellings and surnames that can be traced back to the same original Dohnke surname are Donke, Donk, Donck, Doncken, Donkle, Dönke, Döhncke, Donkhe, Dannke, Dornke, Donnek, Donneke, Doncke, Doncker, Donneker, Dank, Dunk, Dunck, Donch, and Dunkle.
Famous people with the name Dohnke
- Uwe Dohnke: German politician from the Free Democratic Party.
- Max Donald Dohnke: American jazz trumpeter, composer and arranger.
- Karin Dohnke: Norwegian handball player who competes for the Norway women's national team.
- Alwyn Dohnke: South African rugby union player who played for the South African national team in the 1984 IRB Nations Cup.
- Eddie Dohnke: German-born American professional strongman and bodybuilder.
- Jenna Dohnke: American actress and director best known for her work in television and film.
- Christian Dohnke: German film and television actor, director and screenwriter.
- Cory Dohnke: American soccer player who currently plays for Real Monarchs in the United Soccer League.
- Calvi Dohnke: American professional mixed martial arts fighter who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- Jon Dohnke: Professional golfer who plays on the Web.com Tour and has won multiple tournaments.