Surname Macke - Meaning and Origin
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Macke: What does the surname Macke mean?
The last name Macke is of German origin, originating from a geographical region in northern Germany, near modern-day Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The root of the name is derived from the Middle High German word "macken" which means "spade-shaped sticks" or "mattocks".
Historically, the Macke surname was associated with farming and agriculture. It was most common among farmers and agricultural workers in northern Germany in the Middle Ages. As a family name, Macke was traditionally associated with farming; the father and/or grandfather of the family passed the surname down to his male descendants.
The earliest known references to the Macke name date back to the 15th century. Today, the name is still seen throughout Germany, as well as other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In addition to its agricultural background, Macke is also an occupational surname, derived from the professions of men who staked timber in streets and labored in other industries such as weaving, carpentry, and the tanning of leather.
The name Macke is an apt reflection of the strength and resilience of the people who bear it. The influence of the name is evident in its legacy of hard work and dedication—values that will continue to be carried on by future generations.
Order DNA origin analysisMacke: Where does the name Macke come from?
The last name Macke is most common in Germany today, where it is relatively widespread. It is also present in parts of Poland, the Czech Republic, and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is not particularly common in other parts of the world.
The name is derived from the Old German word “macko”, meaning “son of” or “little son”. It was commonly given as a surname to people in the Middle Ages. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved and changed somewhat; for example, it is sometimes spelled “Mack” or “Macki”.
The name Macke is found most often in records belonging to members of the Catholic faith. This suggests that it was a common name among Catholics in the Middle Ages. Records also show that the name was adopted by people of other faiths.
The modern spelling of the name Macke is thought to have originated in the southern part of Germany. Records of the family name can be found in the areas of Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria. Records also show the name in other parts of Germany, including Saxony, the Rhineland, and Northern Germany.
In terms of numbers, it is estimated that there are around 60,000 people with the last name Macke in Europe today. The majority of them are located in Germany, followed by Poland and the Czech Republic. In these parts of the world, Macke is a relatively common name.
Variations of the surname Macke
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Macke are Mackey, McKee, Mackay, Mackie, McKelvey, Mace, McKinney, McKeehan, McKeown, Mackell, and MacKenzie.
The Macke spelling is considered a patronymic surname, which is generally acquired through the first name of the father. Other variants of the surname Macke would also likely stem from the same origin. The Mackey spelling is often associated with the Irish and Scottish spelling and is believed to be derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Aoidh meaning “son of fire”. For many years, McKee and MacKee have been used interchangeably, but it is primarily a Scottish surname, derived from Mac Aoidh.
The surname Mackay is also of Scottish and Irish origin, being derived from the Gaelic Mac Aoidh, meaning |“son of fire”. It is believed to be related to Mackey and McKee. The Mackie variant is also derived from the same Gaelic origin and is linked to Mackay and Mackey.
McKelvey is another Irish patronymic name derived from a Gaelic mac and a form of the personal name Lovey. The Mace, McKinney, McKeehan variants all have a separate origin from Macke, as they are Welsh (or English) by origin. They are derived from the old Welsh personal name “Meicin”. Whereas, MacKenzie is a Scottish name derived from the Gaelic Mac Coinneach, meaning “son of Coinneach”. Lastly, the surname McKeown is derived from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic Mac Eoghain, meaning “son of Eoghan”.
Famous people with the name Macke
- Jim Mack: an American actor from New York.
- Kurt Mack: a German-born music conductor.
- Clarence Macke: an American actor and producer whose career spanned several decades.
- Brad Macke: former professional tennis player from the United States.
- Karl Mack: an Austrian aviation pioneer and aeronautical engineer.
- Kurt Macke: a German machine tool designer and constructor today remembered as the inventor of the Macke milling machine.
- Bob Macke: a former American baseball pitcher who played three seasons in the Major League.
- Klaus Macke: a prominent German physicist of the twentieth century.
- Tom Macke: an American musician from California best known as the lead guitarist of the punk rock band The Offspring.
- Waldemar Macke: a prominent German linguist from the twentieth century.
- Aaron Macke: an American filmmaker known for his documentaries and short films.
- Mark Macke: an American football coach and former player who currently serves as the defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans.
- Emily Macke: a Canadian professional soccer player who currently plays as a defender for the Seattle Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League.
- Gregg Macke: an American golf professional who has won multiple PGA Tour titles and earned over five million dollars in his career.
- Gary Macke: a former American football tight end who played for the San Diego Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League.