Surname Hedke - Meaning and Origin
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Hedke: What does the surname Hedke mean?
The last name Hedke is believed to be of German origin. Its literal translation is “hedge” or “hedge bank”, which reflects its possible origin from Old High German hegga meaning “enclosure”, originally referring to a fenced or walled-in area. It is thought that the name could have been derived from a family’s profession of farming and tending to such enclosures or hedges.
As a surname, it is most common in Germany and the United States. The earliest recorded bearer of the name was one Simmon Hedke, who is recorded in the 1300s in the city of Greifswald in Germany. Later it is recorded in various other parts of Germany throughout the 16th century.
The Hedke family in America immigrated to Pennsylvania in the mid-1800s, but their exact origin is uncertain. They either came from Germany, or, like many other German-speaking families of the time, emigrated from Eastern Europe.
In places such as Germany and the United States, the name is still very common today. There are many notable people with the last name Hedke, ranging from religious figures to famous actors, businesspeople and entrepreneurs. The Hedke name is clearly an old-fashioned one, but the people that bear it seem to be ever-evolving, reflecting the changing times and cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisHedke: Where does the name Hedke come from?
The last name Hedke is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a German surname, so it is also quite common in the United States (especially in areas of the country with a high population of German heritage, such as the Midwest). It is an old German name, and its oldest known record dates back to 1560 in East Prussia.
The name varies slightly in spelling across the different countries in which it is found, but Hedke is the most common. Other common spellings include Hedke, Hedek, Hedkil, Hedkeo, and Heideck. The surname is most often associated with the Westphalian city of Bünde, though it is also found in other parts of Germany, Poland, Lithuania, France, and even Australia.
The origin of the name is uncertain, though it’s likely derived from the old German word “hidencyk” which was used to describe a person from the Forest of Heid, or “Hedk.” Additionally, the name could be related to a place in Westphalia known as “Heideck.”
Today, the name Hedke is most often associated with Germany, but it is also found in other European countries, as well as the United States. It is relatively widespread, and is likely to continue to increase in frequency over time.
Variations of the surname Hedke
The surname Hedke is of German origin and dates back to the 13th century. It likely derived from the name Hedwig or Hadwig, which is a variant of Hadewig, meaning "strife and battle." The name is found mainly in North and Central Germany.
Variants of the surname Hedke include Hedke, Haedke, Hedtke, Hadke, Hedcke, Heitke, Hetke, and Hedcke. From these variants, additional spellings have arisen, including Hedtke, Hedtkie, Edtke, Hadtke, Hetkke, Heitkke, and Hetk.
Hedke may also appear as a patronymic surname, meaning it is a name derived from the father's name. In this case, the father's name would be Had. Examples of patronymic surnames include Hadson, Hadkon, Hadsen, Hadden, and Haddson.
The Hedke surname is found today in North and Central Germany, as well as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. With the increase in international migration, the Hedke surname can be found all over the world.
Famous people with the name Hedke
- Mark Hedke: American politician and member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
- Timothy Hedke: American composer, producer, and bass player
- Paul Hedke: German historian and politician, President of the European Center for Modern Ukraine
- Melvin Hedke: professional wrestler for World Championship Wrestling
- Jared Hedke: American illustrator and painter
- Helmut Hedke: German sculptor and goldsmith
- Andreas Hedke: German physicist and professor of geophysics
- Johannes Hedke: Swedish merchant and politician
- Ken Hedke: American sound mixer
- Terry Hedke: American artist and sculptor.