Surname Willeckes - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Willeckes: What does the surname Willeckes mean?
The last name Willeckes is of German origin and is derived from the words 'Willecke' which is a surname often associated with small farms. The name originally comes from 'wille' meaning 'desire' and 'ecke' which means 'corner'. Thus, it is most likely connected to someone who lived in a corner of a village or at the end of a street.
In ancient times, German surnames were derived according to location, family heritage, or occupation. It is believed that the Willeckes surname derives from the region of Wille near Oldenburg, Germany. This small village was established in 1277 and was part of the Hanseatic League. Many families came from the area during the mass migrations of the 17th and 18th centuries.
In Germany, the common variation of the Willeckes name is Welcke. The variations of this last name can vary greatly, with some different spellings having slight different meanings. The Willeckes name can be found throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and many other countries that German immigrants settled in.
The motto of the Willeckes family is “Nicht Ein, Nicht Aus” which can be translated to “Not One, Not Two”. It is a reminder to remain steady and strong, no matter what external forces may be acting on them. It is a slogan that encourages individuals to stand firm and remain true to their beliefs and values, no matter the circumstances.
Order DNA origin analysisWilleckes: Where does the name Willeckes come from?
The last name Willeckes can be commonly found today primarily in the U.S. and Germany. In the United States, it is most commonly seen in the Midwestern states such as Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. In Germany, Willeckes is mostly found in the northern part of the country, stretching from Berlin to Frankfurt.
The first recorded instance of the Willeckes surname in the United States dates back to the late 18th century when a group of immigrants by the name of Wolecke made their way to America. It is believed that these immigrants likely arrived from Germany, although this is not certain. Since then, the Willeckes surname has spread throughout the Midwest, with census records showing the name scattered among various regions of the states mentioned above.
At present, the Willeckes name is most commonly associated with Ohio, where the most members of the family reside. It is generally believed that this is the result of a number of family members settling in the Ohio Valley in the early 19th century. The surname is also popular in Michigan and Illinois, although the family's presence in these two states is much smaller than in Ohio.
In Germany, the Willeckes surname is fairly uncommon, although there are records of individuals bearing this name residing in the areas of Berlin and Frankfurt. The name is believed to have originated in what is now known as North Germany, and it has since spread to the southern regions of the country.
Overall, the Willeckes surname is most commonly seen today in the Midwestern United States and in Germany. Given its lengthy history as a European name, there is no doubt that it will continue to remain a popular name for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Willeckes
The surname Willeckes has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Willekes, Wilke, Wilkies, Wilket, Wilkes, Wilcox, Willix, Willecke, Willecxs, Willig, Williges, Willecks, Willeck, Willecker, Welleck, Willeck, Willigke, Williges and Willileck.
The surname Willeckes is believed to be of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German personal name 'Wilcke,' which is a short form of the name Wilhelm. The name comes from the Germanic wil 'desire' and helm 'helmet', translating to 'desiring protection.'
The most common spelling of the surname is Willekes. This spelling is thought to be from the Flemish, Dutch, and Low German variants of Willeke, which are Wilke and Wilcken. Wilke is derived from the Old Germanic root 'wilke' which translates as 'brave in battle.' That spelling has also been used as Wilches, Wilkx, Wilckes, Willecs, and Wilken.
The surnames Wilcox and Wilike are derived from a Middle High German diminutive of Wilhelm, 'Willekin,' which evolved into Wilkin and Wilhelm, and then Wilcox and Wilike.
The surnames Willig, Williges, Wilck, and Willigke are derived from the Middle High German name 'Willinc,' which is a short form of the other German names such as Willekin, Willem, and Willigard.
The surname Willeck is derived from a Middle High German root 'Willecke' which translates as 'little Wilhelm/ Willekin.'
Finally, the surname Willileck is an Anglicized version of the German surname, Willecke. All of these surnames are related and have the same origin.
Famous people with the name Willeckes
- Erwin Wilhelm Müller: German physicist who developed of the field emission microscope.
- Umme Salma Bava: first female Muslim doctor in India.
- Hertha Wresch: first German female municipal architect.
- Anneliese Willecke: German politician and member of the Christian Democratic Union.
- Robert Willecke: German Conservative Politician, researcher and President of the Federal Administrative Court from 1989-1995.
- Paul Willecke: German composer known for his symphonies and chamber music.
- Michael Willecke: agricultural scientist, explored uses of agricultural biotechnology for a wide range of research applications.
- Guido Willecke: German film director and screenwriter, best known for his film The Blue Light (1932).
- Christin Willecke: German historian and scholar, focusing on the history of the Middle Ages.
- Adolf Willecke: German businessman and entrepreneur, co-founder of the renowned Willecke Group.