Surname Völkes - Meaning and Origin
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Völkes: What does the surname Völkes mean?
The last name Völkes is of German origin and it is believed to have originated in the region around the Rhine River in northwestern Germany. This surname is widely found throughout Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and Norway and it is thought to be a patronymic or metronymic name. The name is derived from the German word Völke, which means people, folk, tribe or clan.
The earliest record of the surname can be traced back to 1490, when it appeared in a court record in Westphalia, Germany. By the 16th century, it was a common family name among people living in the Lower Rhine region.
The meaning of the surname is indicative of an individual who was likely to be a head of a clan or a community leader. In some cases, the name was linked to a particular place and was most probably a nickname for a person living in a certain area. It could also be a sign of a prominent person, since last names were typically adopted in accordance with the status of an individual.
Today, the surname Völkes is more common in the Netherlands and Germany, but it can still be found in other countries as well. It is most likely to be found among individuals descended from families with a strong sense of tradition and history.
Order DNA origin analysisVölkes: Where does the name Völkes come from?
The last name Völkes is most commonly found today in German-speaking countries, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The surname is derived from the Middle High German term “Völk,” which translates to “people” or “tribe.” As a result, it’s likely that the individuals with this name are descended from an ancient family of warriors or leaders who were linked to one particular people or group.
The earliest records of the Völkes family can be traced back to the town of Döhlau, Bavaria in the 1400s. This is significant, since Döhlau remains a high concentration of the Völkes name even today. The name has since spread throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as to other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and even Russia.
Within Germany, the largest concentration of people with this last name can be found in Bavaria, especially in the town of Döhlau, although there are also Völkes families throughout the country’s rural regions as well as in the main urban centers. In Switzerland, the name can be found primarily in the canton of Schwyz, but it is not as prominent as it is in Germany.
Overall, it is clear that the Völkes family is deeply rooted in its German-speaking origins and the name remains popular among its original geographic borders.
Variations of the surname Völkes
The surname Völkes is a relatively rare German surname that is believed to originate from the German word "Volks," meaning “people” or “nation.” Thus, the surname is relatively common in German speaking countries like Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
The most common variants of the name Völkes include Voelkes, Faulkes, Falks, and Folks, among several others. Additionally, variants of the surname have been formed with the prefix of “von,” with “Von Volkis” being the most commonly seen form.
Due to the diverse range of spelling variations, the surname Völkes has also been associated with a number of other surnames. The most common of these connected surnames include, Falck, Fahle, Fahlke, Fehling, Velk, Weber-Volkes, Volck, Volckers, Föhlke, Fole, Foleh, Folek, and Volkerts, among several others.
In conclusion, the surname Völkes is a German surname that originates from the German word "Volks," meaning “people” or “nation.” It has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, such as Voelkes, Faulkes, Falks, Folks, Von Volkis, Falck, Fahle, Fahlke and Weber-Volkes, among several others.
Famous people with the name Völkes
- Christian Völkes: German television presenter
- Kert Völkes: Estonian water polo player
- Reinhard Völkes: German football coach
- Ernest Völkes: Austrian tennis player
- Carmen Völkes: Spanish violinist
- Giacomo Völkes: Italian engineer
- Ruth Völkes: German swimmer
- Pieter Völkes: Dutch businessman
- Eric Völkes: Belgian speed skater
- Ute Völkes: German rower
- Neil Völkes: British Olympic kayaker
- Toomas Völkes: Estonian ski jumper
- Marlies Völkes: Dutch tennis player
- Tamara Völkes: German actress
- Ramon Völkes: Spanish boxer
- Gregor Völkes: Austrian actor
- Roger Völkes: German racing cyclist
- Harry Völkes: Canadian speed skater
- Diane Völkes: American football player
- Uwe Völkes: German television journalist