Surname Körnke - Meaning and Origin
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Körnke: What does the surname Körnke mean?
The last name Körnke is of German origin and is derived from the German word ‘Korn’, meaning barley. This could indicate that the original bearer of this name, or their ancestors, were likely farmers or bakers, as barley is a key ingredient in both beer and bread. Alternatively, it could have also been an occupational name referring to someone who worked with barley, such as a miller.
In addition to meaning ‘barley’, ‘Korn’ can also refer to other grains, particularly rye. This name could have been given to the family due to their trade or residence in a particular area, as it was once common for people to name themselves based on the area or region of the country they originated from or lived in.
The presence of the umlaut over the ‘o’ in the name Körnke could indicate that the family was prominent or noble. It is also possible that the umlaut was added to the name by members of the family to make the name sound more sophisticated or to make it sound more aristocrat.
In modern times, the last name Körnke is still found predominantly throughout Germany, particularly its southern regions. It could also be found in other parts of Europe, as well as in some areas of the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisKörnke: Where does the name Körnke come from?
The last name Körnke is common throughout Germany, especially in the northern and western parts of the country, such as Lower Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate. It is believed to have originated in Prussia and spread during the dawn of the German state. The name can also be found in Saxony-Anhalt and Bavaria, although it is less common there. It has also spread to other countries and regions such as Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States, where there are pockets of people with the Körnke name as well.
The name itself is derived from the Middle German word kurken which means “small hill”. This could be a reference to many of the small hills which can be found in the German countryside. As the modern spelling suggests, it is a patronymic surname, indicating that the original bearer of the family’s name was a son of the Körnke family.
Despite its long history, the Körnke name is still relatively uncommon compared to other common German surnames such as Müller and Schmidt. However, with the increased mobility of people in recent years, the Körnke name is slowly becoming more widespread.
Variations of the surname Körnke
The surname Körnke is a German surname whose origin dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a locational name that originally referred to someone who lived by a corner of land. The variant spellings and surnames of Körnke include Körncke, Köernke, Köerncke, Kornke, Korncke, Körncken, Köerncken, Kernke, Kerncke, Köerntke, Köerntcke, Köenke, Köencken, Könke and Köncken.
In Germany, Körnke is especially common in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is concentrated in the cities of Köln and Düsseldorf. It is also found in smaller numbers in the states of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Hesse and Bavaria.
In the United States, Körnke is less common than in Germany. However, it can be found in small numbers in states such as Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas and California. It is especially concentrated in the states of Wisconsin and Iowa.
In Canada, Körnke is an uncommon name. The largest concentration of the personal name can be found in the province of Ontario.
A less common German variant of the surname is spelled Kerneke.
Famous people with the name Körnke
- Theodor Körnke (stage actor)
- Asger Körnke (film producer)
- Kuno Körnke (amateur chess player)
- Gunther Körnke (theologian)
- Josef Körnke (musician and composer)
- Luise Körnke (visual artist)
- Julius Körnke (athletic trainer)
- Inge Körnke (singer)
- Ingeborg Körnke (novelist and screenwriter)
- Jochen Körnke (collector and art dealer)
- Hanne Körnke (actress)
- Helene Körnke (opera singer)
- Wilhelm Körnke (illustrator)
- Otto Körnke (violinist)
- Thomas Körnke (mathematician)
- Tine Körnke (philosopher)
- Elisabeth Körnke (pianist)
- Heinrich Körnke (painter)
- Mieke Körnke (children's author)
- Roads Körnke (volleyball player)