Surname Duemke - Meaning and Origin
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Duemke: What does the surname Duemke mean?
The last name Duemke is a German surname that likely originates from the Middle High German term "deume" or "deumke" which was a type of tax or fee. The word derived from the Middle High German term "diemken" meaning "to pay a fine". It is likely that the name was once used to identify those engaged in the collection of taxes or fines.
In the Middle Ages, the name may also have been adopted by families who lived near oak trees as the Middle High German word "duem" means "oak". Consequently, the surname could have been used by those living near oak trees, or alternatively, who worked as coopers - the construction of barrels from oak.
The name was found predominantly in the old East Franconian regions of Bavaria, but has since spread to other parts of Germany. In recent years, the name is thought to have been further spread to English speaking countries following German immigration to the United States and the United Kingdom during the 18th and 19th Centuries.
The surname could also derive from a diminutive of the name of Dietmar, which means "people's ruler". However, this theory has yet to be verified.
In modern times, the last name Duemke is relatively rare, although its exact prevalence is unknown.
Order DNA origin analysisDuemke: Where does the name Duemke come from?
Duemke is a German surname, most commonly found in northern Germany and parts of Central Europe, especially in the East Frisian region. It is also historically found in Dutch populations of the Netherlands, and is still found in German communities in the United States and Canada. It is derived from the Old German language, meaning the place of the two meadows, and many with the name Duemke can trace their origins back to German roots.
The Duemke name is found most prevalently in northern Germany, particularly in the area of Schleswig-Holstein, as well as in the Dutch-speaking population of the Netherlands. However, the surname has also spread throughout Central Europe, with the Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Croatia all having sizeable populations of the name. Meanwhile, German-American and German-Canadian migrants have carried the name to countries in the West, with the United States and Canada having populations of several hundred Duemkes.
Duemke is not a widely spread surname, and because of its rather localized origins, the name is not found in distant places outside of German-speaking countries and its diaspora. But with its historical presence in Germany, the Netherlands, and other nearby Central European countries, it has been adopted by some as a relic of German ancestry.
Variations of the surname Duemke
The surname Duemke is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the personal name Dietmar. Variants of the surname include Duemk, Duemck, Duemebke, Duemcke, and Duemkke.
Alternative spellings of the name include Duemken, Duemken, Duemkens, Duemkin, and Duempken. The corresponding patronymic surnames derived from the given name include Duecken, Dueckmann, Duecks, Dueckt, and Duekmar.
The earliest recorded mention of the name dates back to 1581, when theatrical actor Dirck Duemke was noted as living in Bochum, Germany.
A particularly notable bearer of the surname is 19th Century Prussian diplomat and officer Karol Duemke, who, in 1884, was awarded the Order of the Red Eagle, 4th class with Star, for distinguished military service.
In modern times, people bearing the Duemke surname are found predominantly throughout Germany and the United States. A sizeable population is also present in Canada, particularly in the province of Ontario.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Duemke thus include; Duemk, Duemck, Duemebke, Duemcke, Duemkke, Duemken, Duemken, Duemkens, Duemkin, Duempken, Duecken, Dueckmann, Duecks, Dueckt, Duekmar, and any patronymic surnames derived from the given name Dietmar.
Famous people with the name Duemke
- Dietmar Duemke: German former professional football player
- Dirk Duemke: German politician
- Friedrich Duemke: German psychologist
- Hermione Duemke: Australian film producer
- Juliette Duemke: French lawyer
- Karen Duemke: American classical cellist
- Lars Duemke: German swimmer
- Pieter Jan Duemke: Dutch composer
- Stefan Duemke: German actor
- Wolfram Duemke: German business executive
- Mario Duemke: German football coach