Surname Kalker - Meaning and Origin
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Kalker: What does the surname Kalker mean?
The surname Kalker is of German origin. It is derived from the old German word "kalke," which means "ditch," thus referring to a topographical feature.
The surname Kalker is found primarily in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, and may refer to several distinct clans in the German-speaking regions.
In Old Saxon, the Kalker surname means 'aencing' or 'aencsen,' which is a farming term meaning "the blade of a plow," or "the metal point that penetrates the ground". In Old Norse, Kalker means "a fletcher," or "one who repairs arrows."
The Kalker surname is also associated with trade and crafts, including charcoal burning, coal burning, and pottery making. For example, in Germany the Kalkers were known as coal or charcoal burners; in the Netherlands and Belgium they were associated with pottery making; and in Austria they were associated with both coal burning and coopering.
In addition to having craft-associated origins, Kalkers are also known to have lineage associated with Lower Saxony, which is an area in northwestern Germany. This area is associated with the Dutch language and culture, and the Dutch pronunciation of 'Kalker' is similar to the German pronunciation of 'Kalke.'
The Kalker surname is thought to have originated in the German-speaking region, and is likely derived from the ancient German language. The surname may have related to topography, farming, or craftsmanship, and is associated with the Low Saxon region.
Order DNA origin analysisKalker: Where does the name Kalker come from?
The last name Kalker is quite common throughout Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is a variation of the Dutch or Yiddish name Kaal, meaning bald, and is likely derived from the ancient Germanic root word “kal” meaning bald.
The surname Kalker can be found most commonly in Germany today, with approximately 1,900 individuals carrying the name. In addition, it is found in small numbers in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and other German-speaking countries.
In the United States, the last name Kalker is visiting throughout, with the majority living in California, Florida, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Canadian individuals with the Kalker surname, while not as numerous as the United States, are more concentrated in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.
Individuals with the last name Kalker have also been found in Brazil, Israel, and throughout South America and Southeast Asia. In fact, there are even a handful of Kalkers living in Australia.
Overall, the Kalker name is quite widespread, and can be found throughout Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, and even in Oceania.
Variations of the surname Kalker
The surname Kalker has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, the majority of which originate from Germany. Variations of the name Kalker include Kalk, Kalke, Kalkers, Kalka, Kalkman, Kalkmann, Kalkes, Kalkmanns, Kalks, and Kalkens.
The spelling Kalker is derived from the German word Kalk, meaning lime or limestone. This makes the surname likely a topographic name for someone who lived near a source of limestone, or a metonymic occupational name, referring to someone who manufactured or worked with limestone.
The surname Kalk is also of German-origin and is most closely associated with the North Rhine-Westphalian region. This name is derived from the German word Kolk, meaning water-filled ditch. This makes the surname likely a topographic name for someone who lived near a water-filled ditch or a metonymic occupational name, referring to someone who worked in a water-filled ditch or a moat.
The surname Kalkman is also of German-origin and is associated with the Rhineland-Palatinate region. This name is derived from the German word Kolkman, meaning the man in the ditch. This makes the surname likely a topographic name for someone who lived near a ditch or a metonymic occupational name for someone who worked in a ditch or a moat.
The surname Kalks is also of German-origin and is associated with the North Rhine-Westphalia region. This name is derived from the German word Kalks, meaning a calk, which was a tool used to apply molten lead to the edges of boats to prevent water seepage. This makes the surname likely an occupational name for someone who worked as a calker.
Overall, the surname Kalker has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that are all associated with distinct regions of Germany. Variations of the name Kalker originate from the German words Kalk, Kolk, Kolkman, and Kalks. As such, the surname is likely a topographic or metonymic occupational name that refers to someone who lived near a limestone source, water-filled ditch, or worked as a calker.
Famous people with the name Kalker
- Paul Kalker, Dutch footballer
- Henk Kalker, Dutch Olympic rower
- Wim Kalker, Dutch Olympic cyclist
- Dries Kalker, Dutch architect
- Lilian Kalker, Dutch illustrator
- Jaco Kalker, Dutch lawyer
- Bob Kalker, Dutch politician
- Peter Kalker, Dutch music producer
- Willem Kalker, Dutch music composer
- Leo Kalker, Dutch Olympic skeleton racer
- Bram Kalker, Dutch director
- Job Kalker, Dutch swimmer
- Raymond Kalker, Dutch designer
- Cees Kalker, Dutch actor
- Ton Kalker, Dutch Olympic fencer
- Ties Kalker, Dutch art curator