Surname Lemkes - Meaning and Origin
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Lemkes: What does the surname Lemkes mean?
The last name Lemkes is of German origin. Its literal translation is “field guard” or “farm dweller,” which hints at having an ancestry related to farming and rural life. The Lemkes surname first appears in Northern Germany, where it was popular among the area's rural population. In fact, it still remains the fourth most popular surname in the state of Schleswig-Holstein.
The Lemkes surname holds a rich cultural history. The Lemkes tale has roots in the old German proverb — “Look before you leap like the Lemkes.” This proverb refers to the common traits shared between Lemkes from the Middle Ages to the modern day – caution, planning, and diligence. These qualities, combined with hard-work, ensured that the Lemkes name symbolized success within families and communities.
In the United States, the Lemkes name is mainly found within the Pennsylvania-German culture. This culture has been preserved by the Pennsylvania Dutch (a mix of German and English speaking Deitschers) who kept the Lemkes name in tact for generations.
Throughout the generations, the Lemkes name has been respected and honored for its strength, resilience, and determination. This name is a reminder of a long-standing legacy of loyalty, dedication, and relentless hard-work.
Order DNA origin analysisLemkes: Where does the name Lemkes come from?
The last name Lemkes is most commonly found in Germany, where it is the 388th most common family name. It is likely that many of today's Lemkes in Germany are descendants of the original family from which the name originated. The province of Schleswig-Holstein, located on the German-Danish border, is likely to be the most widespread area of family concentration.
The Lemkes family now resides in other countries with a large German population, such as the United States and Canada. The family name is also not uncommon in the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, as well as other European countries. It is also increasingly seen in countries such as Costa Rica and Brazil due to the emigration of Germans to these countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The meaning of the Lemkes name is not clear, but records suggest that it is likely derived from the Old Germanic personal name Lambert. It is possible that the Lemkes family originally resided in the former German duchy of Saxony and migrated to northern Germany in the Middle Ages or later.
Today, the Lemkes name is collectors of art, music, and film, and other creative endeavors. Other Lemkes are entrepreneurs, leading philanthropists, and scientists, with some even working as members of the local and state legislatures in Germany. Many members of the Lemkes family are quite successful, and the family name will continue to carry on into the future.
Variations of the surname Lemkes
The Lemkes surname is a variation of the German name Lemke. It is also spelled as Lemke, Lemkees, Lemkies, Lemks, Lemckes, and Lemcke. In some areas of Germany it is known as Lamke, Lamcke, Lamckes, Lamkes, Lamker, Lemcker, Lemckers, and Lemmere.
In other regions throughout Europe, the Lemkes surname has also been variously spelled as Lemcke, Lemckes, Lehmkes, Lemers, Leimer, Leimers, Leimkuester, Lembke, Lemekers, Lemers, Lemershagen, Lemhauer, Lemker, Lemkere, Lemkeres, Lemkes, Lemmekes, Lemmer, Lemmers, Lemmerson, Lemmke, Lemmkes, Lemmy, Lemxer, and Limstrand.
Moreover, the Lemkes surname is also connected to a few other surnames in Germany. The most common spelling variations related to the Lemkes surname are Lambke, Lembkes, Leeckes, Lehke, Lehlkes, Leime, Lemense, Lemes, Lemken, Lemm, Lemmen, Lemmeke, Lemmin, Lemmon, Lemmke, Lemmlbrodt, Lemsch, Lemschult, and Lemsel.
In some parts of Europe, a variation of the Lemkes surname is the Lithuanian name Lemka. It is also spelled as Lemkokas or Limkaitis. As well, Lemka is used as a surname in Slovakia and Ukraine, where it is also known as Lemky or Lemkie respectively.
Overall, the Lemkes surname has many spellings and variations which are connected across Europe as well as other regions around the world.
Famous people with the name Lemkes
- Boyd Lemkes: former NFL linebacker
- Bill Lemkes: former MLB pitcher
- Kerstin Lemke: German Olympic cross-country skier
- Will Lemke: American alpine ski athlete
- Damen Lemke: Australian actor
- Elaine Lemke: Austrian professional downhill skier
- Karl Lemke: German professional tennis player
- Richard Lemke: American academic and former Wisconsin State Assemblyman
- Steve Lemke: American evangelical theologian
- Rafaela Lemke: Brazilian singer-songwriter
- Lars Lemke: German Lutheran Bishop
- Sibylle Lemke: East German figure skater
- Michael Lemke: German-American illustrator
- Helmut Lemke: German mathematician
- Beate Lemke: German actress