Surname Harke - Meaning and Origin

Harke: What does the surname Harke mean?

The last name Harke is an occupational surname derived from Middle English. It originates from the Old English word 'heorca', which literally translates to 'harp'. The name is likely to have been a medieval nickname given to someone with a tendency to play or make a harp.

The Harke surname is most common in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Scandinavia, and is often found among families with the patronymic names of Harkens, Harkes, Harks, Herkeley and Harked. It is less common in the United Kingdom.

The origins of the Harke surname can also be found in Middle Low German. Harke was a nickname for a person who worked as a harp maker and harpist.

In England, the surname is thought to have been taken up by families who moved, for example, from Worcestershire to London. It is possible that they had already adopted the surname by the time they got to London, as the name Harken appears to have been in use since at least 1273.

When it comes to the meaning of the name Harke, it is mostly related to a person who plays or makes the harp. It could also be used to refer to someone who is agile or quick.

Harke: Where does the name Harke come from?

The surname Harke is most commonly seen in German-speaking countries, particularly Germany and Austria. In Germany, the surname is more common in Bavaria and Saxony, two of Germany's federal states. In Austria, however, the surname is more commonly used across the nation.

In the United States, the surname Harke is not nearly as common, but it is growing in popularity. It can be found in several states across the country, including California, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In Canada, Harke is most common in Ontario, although it can be seen in other provinces as well.

In modern times, the surname Harke is slowly becoming more widespread, but its roots still remain with German-speaking people. The surname is often seen in combination with other German surnames such as Backhaus, Hauer, and Hilger. It is a popular variation of the Hebrew surname "Harkevitz," which derives from the biblical "Harkovic".

Regardless of the country in which it is found, the surname Harke is associated with a sense of identity, culture, and heritage.

Variations of the surname Harke

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Harke are Hardek, Hardick, Harwick, Herrick, and Harker.

Hardek is the last name mostly seen in Dutch-speaking countries and its origin can be traced back to the Middle Ages. During the Medieval period, the Hardek family would often change their name in order to be more easily identified in a different area. This could be due to the relocation of mixed populations or when members of the family moved to a different area.

Hardick is the Anglicised version of the Dutch last name Hardek. It is a more modern version of the family name and was adopted in other countries, especially in the United Kingdom.

Harwick is a variant of the original Dutch last name Hardek. Interestingly, the name Harwick has been found to be linked to the knight's caste in old English society, where members of the Hardek family belonged to.

Herrick is a more modern version of the Dutch surname Hardek and it has been widely used in France, the United Kingdom and the United States. In some cases, spelling variations of Herrick have been found to be used as the same family name in different countries.

Harker is an alternate Anglicised spelling of the original Dutch surname Hardek. This particular spelling is mostly used in the United Kingdom and it is believed to be of English origin.

Famous people with the name Harke

• Daniela Harke: German cross-country skier
• Liam Harke-Hopper: English footballer
• Paul Harke: English mathematician, philosopher and author
• Theo Harke: Dutch footballer
• Nicole Harke: Canadian singer-songwriter
• Jan Harke: German actor
• David Harke: American actor
• Sam Harke: American singer-songwriter
• Joseph Harke: German composer
• Karl Harke: German politician
• Jan Harke: Dutch footballer
• Ludwig Of Harke: Swiss businessman and entrepreneur
• Ricarda Harke: German physicist
• Elena Harke: Russian figure skater
• Susie Harke: American musician and artist
• Christian Harke: German actor
• Julian Harke: German entrepreneur
• Elisabeth Harke: Swiss photographer
• Mark Harke: American architect
• Rik Harke: Dutch comedian and actor

Other surnames

HarkHarkanHarkansHarkenHarkensHarkeyHarkieHarkinHarkingHarkingsHarkinsHarkinsonHarkisHarknessHarksHarksenHarky