Surname Fincke - Meaning and Origin
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Fincke: What does the surname Fincke mean?
The last name Fincke is an Anglo-Saxon surname, which was derived from the occupational given name Fink or Finc, meaning a "finch" – a type of small bird. It was likely originally given to a bird catcher or one who sold birds, and it then became a surname.
The name Fincke is most commonly found in western Germany, especially in the region of Lower Saxony. It is also found in England, Denmark, and the United States. It is rare in other parts of Europe.
In the Middle Ages, it was very common for surnames to be derived from a person's occupation, nicknames, or distinctive physical characteristics. Since birds and animals are often associated with specific characteristics, it is likely that someone with the surname Fincke may have been thought of as being particularly good at catching or finding birds.
Other variations of the name Fincke include Fenk, Fenne, Fenchel, and Fencial. These names are all derived from the same surname.
The name Fincke can still be found today, but is not as common as it once was. It is most likely to still be found amongst families who have had it for several generations or are of German origin.
Order DNA origin analysisFincke: Where does the name Fincke come from?
The last name Fincke is an uncommon surname that has its roots in both Scandinavian and Germanic countries. In Scandinavia, it is most commonly found in Denmark and Norway, while it is quite prevalent in Germany. In fact, it was a very popular name in East Frisia, a region of northern Germany, in the 16th century.
In current times, Fincke is less common than it was in the past. According to a 2020 study, the surname is most prevalent in the United States, with an estimated 3,728 people bearing this name. The German-American population also has a sizable population of individuals with the name, as well as people living in the UK, Australia and Canada.
Fincke is a very unique surname, and it is one of the few that has managed to maintain its presence in many different countries. Despite the fact that the surname is uncommon in modern times, its history and origins can still be traced back to its Scandinavian and Germanic beginnings. The last name is not as common as some other surnames, but it is still present in countries across the world.
Variations of the surname Fincke
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Fincke include Fincke, Finkle, Fink, Finke, Finck, Finkler and Finckel.
Fincke is a German-language surname, with Fincke originating as a spelling variation of the original German family name, Fink. Both variations of the name are derived from the medieval Germanic personal name Fink or Finck, which was a nickname derived from finckel, meaning “bird” or “sparrow” and was very common in the Middle Ages.
The name can also be found spelled as Finkler, Finckel, and Finkle in many documents, and these names all represent the original and common ancestor that goes by Fincke. Fincinny and Finkernagel are also holds Fincke to be its origin.
The surname is found in concentration areas in Germany and Danzig, which is now the Polish city of Gdansk. In America, the Fincke surname is most common in Pennsylvania but its presence has been found all across the United States.
Today, the name carries much notoriety as a Dutch soccer player called Gijs Fincke who plays in the Eredivisie league of Holland and German philanthropist Meno Fincke who owns the Fincke Foundation.
Famous people with the name Fincke
- Andrew J. Fincke: An American astronaut and United States Air Force test pilot who has flown on two space shuttle missions, STS-134 and STS-145.
- Robert Fincke : A Canadian author and journalist who is best known for writing about the power and beauty of nature, fly fishing, backpacking and other outdoor pursuits.
- Ryan Fincke: A U.S. Air Force test pilot and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut.
- Joseph Fincke: A German astronomer and astronomer of the 18th century who also wrote several textbooks on astronomy.
- W.G. Fincke: An American theologian and pastor who wrote several books on religion including the classic, "The Jesus Support".
- Ellen Fincke: An award-winning American film director and screenwriter who specializes in character-driven stories and genre-bending comedy.
- Margaret Fincke: An American author and editor best known for her books on spirituality, personal growth, and holistic health.
- Banning Fincke: An American four-time Olympic fencing champion.
- F. Scott Fincke: An American journalist and author who has written many books on popular culture, crime, journalism, memoirs, and fiction.
- Emily Fincke: An American actress and singer who is most widely known for starring in the musical theatre production of "Avenue Q".