Surname Hemcke - Meaning and Origin
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Hemcke: What does the surname Hemcke mean?
The last name Hemcke is believed to be of German origin. It is thought to have identified someone who ‘belonged’ to a place called ‘Hemc’ – which likely took its name from a local regional landmark, such as a hill. Furthermore, this name may also have originally described the profession or trade of the bearer. It is believed that the name refers to someone who worked with an iron-mining business – most likely the profession of a blacksmith.
The name Hemcke is primarily found in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. It is one of the countless surnames that were adopted anciently by family groups who lived near a particular area and provided particular services to the local community. This practice was well established by the Middle Ages, and it is believed that the name itself has been in use in this region for many centuries.
The history of the last name Hemcke demonstrates not only a surname’s origin, but also its evolution over the years. It is a reminder that each person has a unique identity and heritage, one that is worth exploring and discovering. With the understanding of one's own personal, family history, we all become more connected.
Order DNA origin analysisHemcke: Where does the name Hemcke come from?
The surname Hemcke is a German surname which is especially common in the north of the country. It is also found in the United States, with most instances appearing to be immigrants from Germany. In America, the majority of the population with Hemcke as a surname is located in Pennsylvania and New York.
A 2001 study by the University of Mainz in Germany revealed that the last name is most common around the region of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous State in Germany. It is also quite common in the neighbouring Lower Saxony, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate areas.
Although it is not a particularly common surname on a global scale, there is certainly reason to believe that the last name Hemcke remains popular, or at least somewhat prevalent in the areas mentioned. The University of Mainz study revealed that there were almost 16,000 Hemcke’s in 2001.
In addition, a search for the last name reveals it is especially common in the small towns and villages of the North Rhine-Westphalia region, though it also appears in larger towns such as Bochum and Köln. Finally, the name has become increasingly common amongst those with cultural roots in the areas of the former East Germany, such as in Berlin, Hamburg and Dresden.
It is fair to conclude that the surname Hemcke is still present within the German population and is particularly common in the North Rhine-Westphalia area. It is also evident that it is making its way westwards, suggesting it is here to stay and may become even more commonly found in the future.
Variations of the surname Hemcke
The surname Hemcke is derived from the Old German name "Henricus" which has been used in various forms over centuries. Spellings and variants of the name include Hemcken, Hemkken, Hemck, Hemker, Hemke, Hemcke, Hemmke, Hemmken, and Hemmker.
The German form of the name is Hemke. It is the most widespread variand, being found in many countries such as Germany, Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland. In Denmark, the form is Hemcker or Hemmker, while in Sweden the form is Hemcken.
In countries such as the United States, the form of the name is Hemcke and Hemker. The variant spelling of the name in its English translation is usually Hammack or Hampack.
In the United States, there are numerous variations of the Hemcke name, including Hemker, Hemmker, and Hemack. The most common surnames derived from the original form Hemcke are Hemcken, Hemmken, Hemmker, and Hemker.
In Canada, there are forms of the original name such as Hemke, Hemcken, Hemmker, and Hemcker. The Crimean Tatar form is Hamke or Hemke and in other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, Norway and various Germanic countries, the name appears as Hemcke, Hemkers, and Hemmeke.
No matter which spelling or variant is used, all these surnames are ultimately derived from the original name of Henricus, and are all versions of the same surname.
Famous people with the name Hemcke
- Thomas Hemcke: Chief Marketing Officer at Games-Career.com and game developer, known best for his work on the iPoker series.
- Joseph Hemcke: Certified Historic Architect and expert in historic preservation and building rehabilitation.
- Anton Hemcke: Former manager for BMW, now working as a consultant for corporations and luxury brand companies.
- Frederic Hemcke: Award-winning professional photographer and artist, whose work has been featured in publications like The New York Times and National Geographic.
- Mia Hemcke: Award-winning Broadway actress and singer, best known for her performances in the hit musicals Grease and Mamma Mia.
- Werner Hemcke: Award-winning documentary filmmaker, best known for his work on films like The Lost People of Sudan and Out of Tibet.
- Heather Hemcke: Two-time Emmy award-winning television producer, best known for her work on crime series such as America's Most Wanted and Cold Case Files.
- Linda Hemcke: Award-winning chef and cookbook author, best known for her signature recipes and cookbooks.
- Paul Hemcke: Renowned jazz trumpeter and bandleader, who has performed with some of the biggest names in jazz.
- Jeff Hemcke: Former NFL wide receiver and now professional football coach at the University of Arizona.