Surname Zillke - Meaning and Origin
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Zillke: What does the surname Zillke mean?
The last name Zillke is of German origin. It is derived from the word Zilliken, which translates to "small animal." This was most likely used as a nickname for individuals who were known for their kindness towards animals. The name can also refer to someone who lived near an animal path or a field where small animals were often present.
The name can also denote someone who was particularly able and strong, as the phrase “zole kleinen”—which translates to “strong little one”—has been associated with it. This implies that the person may have had a lively demeanor or an aptitude for labor tasks.
Zillke is still fairly uncommon, and there seem to be no exact records of its distribution throughout the world. However, the name is most commonly found in areas of Germany and the Netherlands, where a good number of ancestral records can be traced.
In some areas of this region, the Zillke rests within a group of names that were derived from the old German language. It is a rare and unique name that many of the families who possess it are proud of, with a culture and tradition carried down from generations before them.
Order DNA origin analysisZillke: Where does the name Zillke come from?
The last name Zillke is most common in Germany today. It is thought to have originated in Germany, and is most frequent around the western region of the country, including Hesse, Lower Saxony, and Baden-Wurttemberg.
This German last name is believed to have derived from the Middle High German phrase ‘zilchen’, which means ‘to talk in a mocking tone’. Some believe the name was originally an insult that was applied to people who spoke in a humorous or jovial manner. It is thought that over time, the name was accepted and adopted into families and passed down through generations.
The surname Zillke is not very widespread among people living in Germany today, but its frequency has been increasing in recent years. It is also believed to have spread to other European countries such as Austria and the Czech Republic, as well as to the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In the United States, the last name Zillke has been primarily found in states such as West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and New York. It is also becoming increasingly common throughout the rest of the world, as families are becoming more highly mobile and global.
Variations of the surname Zillke
The variant, spelling, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Zillke are Zilleke, Zylke, Zeylke, Zelleke, Zylke, and Zilliker. All these forms of the surname originated in Germany.
The earliest recorded form of Zillke was in 1584 when Henner Zylken was born in Elbe, Germany. The name was recorded as Zylken which is the earliest known form of the name.
Other variants of the name include Zelleke, Zeilke, and Zilliker, which all have their roots in German. It is believed that the name originated from the surname Zylke, which is also derived from the German first name Zylber.
The surname Zillke was most commonly found in the northern German region of East Frisia, the area along the border of Westphalia. It is also spelled Zyke, a variant of the surname.
Zillke was also found in Prussia, and the variants Zylke and Zeylke were found in the Netherlands in the 16th century.
Zillke is a relatively common surname in Germany, and many of its variants can be found in other countries around the world as well. In the United States, the surnames Zillke, Zelleke, and Zyke can all be found.
Due to the numerous variants and spellings of the surname, it can sometimes be difficult to trace the origin of the name. However, given its German roots, many of the variants are likely derived from the surname Zylke.
Famous people with the name Zillke
- Ed Zillke: is an American painter born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1972.
- Zsolt Zillke: is a professional NBA Dancer from Hungary.
- Valeria Zillke: is a Russian-American opera singer.
- Bill Zillke: is a former quarterback who played for the New York Giants in 1987.
- Jack Zillke: is an American journalist, best known for his work on the public radio talk show The Perez Hilton Show.
- Wayne Zillke: is an Australian rugby union player who played at international level for the Wallabies.
- Brad Zillke: is a retired Canadian Football League player who played both fullback and linebacker.
- Justin Zillke: is an American former professional basketball player who is currently the head coach of the D-Fenders in the NBA G League.
- Gary Zillke: is an American retired professional basketball player who played in both the ABA and the NBA.
- Frank Zillke: is a former Canadian Football League quarterback who played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1990 to 1992.