Surname Foelke - Meaning and Origin

Foelke: What does the surname Foelke mean?

The last name Foelke is a German surname derived from the Middle Low German words 'foʒelke', meaning 'little bird'. This name likely originated as a toponymic surname, which refers to a person from a certain place, in this case a place likely named after a small bird.

The surname may also be derived from the nickname given to those who had physical characteristics resembling that of a small bird, such as a person with a long and slender neck. It may have been given as a nickname to a person known to be swift, agile or even sly, like a little bird.

Though not as common as other German surnames, the surname Foelke is widespread throughout Germany today. It can also be found in a few other countries including the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Austria and Switzerland.

As with many German surnames, there are a variety of meanings, origins and spellings for the name Foelke. Some examples of spelling variants include Foelke, Voelke, Foelk and Voelk. Spelling variations are also common in places where the Foelke name has spread to, such as North America.

Foelke: Where does the name Foelke come from?

Foelke is an uncommon name that appears to have origins in Germany. It is believed to be derived from the Middle High German name "Vōgelk". Today, the surname Foelke can be found predominantly in Germany, with few people bearing the name in the United States.

In Germany, the name Foelke is most common in the northern and western regions; particularly in the states of Saxony, Hamburg and Bavaria. It is also present in small numbers in Berlin and Brandenburg. In the United States, the surname Foelke appears to be concentrated in the Midwestern states; particularly in Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Research from reliable family history and genealogy sources also indicate that the Foelke family may be of Scottish origin. These sources suggest that the name may have evolved in Scotland, and later spread throughout Europe.

Foelke is a rare name, with few global records remaining. Consequently, it can be difficult to trace and investigate the family lineage. Fortunately, the advances in technology have made it much easier to conduct genealogical research today; enabling people to better trace their heritage and discover their past ancestors.

Variations of the surname Foelke

Foelke is a surname that originates from German-speaking parts of Europe. Foelke is a variation of the name 'Völker', which is derived from the Old German adjective 'völker', which translates to "nation" or "people". Some other common variations and spellings of this surname include Völker, Velker, Fölker, Fölk, Foellker, and Feulker.

In Germany and Switzerland, Franconian form of the phrase 'Völker' sometimes appears as 'Fölk', and in greater Germany, the spelling 'Fölker' is used. In the Dutch language, the name is spelled as 'Völker'.

In addition to the direct German variations of Foelke, the surname can also be found in various German-influenced areas around the world, including America. Aside from the direct German variations, there are several other spellings and surnames that are historically connected to the surname Foelke. A few of these spellings include: Folker, Florker, Volzer, Voelkel, Foellke, and Volke.

It is important to note that Foelke is primarily a surname found in German-speaking areas, therefore variations may exist depending on the regional language spoken during the occurrence of the surname's origin. People with the surname Foelke can be found living in various parts of Europe, including Germany, Holland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Famous people with the name Foelke

• Horace Foelke, American film and television actor
• Jean Foelke, American stage and film actress
• Amon Foelke, Australian musician
• Herman Foelke, American photographer
• William Foelke, American actor
• Frederick Foelke, German-American pilot
• Hilka Foelke, German-American artist and art restorer
• Richard Foelke, American composer
• Leslie Foelke, Canadian lawyer and politician
• Elzie Foelke, American professional football player
• Scott Foelke, American professional basketball player
• Gary Foelke, Australian cyclist
• Paul Foelke, American gymnast
• Anna Foelke, American Olympic figure skater
• Arthur Horace Foelke, American politician
• Gresham Foelke, American architect
• Michael Foelke, Australian politician
• Edgar Foelke, American chess master
• Rhiannon Foelke, American journalist
• Ryan Foelke, American professional baseball player

Other surnames

FoelkelFoelker