Surname Foelker - Meaning and Origin
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Foelker: What does the surname Foelker mean?
The surname Foelker is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word “volker”, describing a person from a foreign area. This can be translated to "people from afar" or "stranger". The surname has been documented since the 13th century, mainly in the area of southern Germany near the Rhine River where many of the earliest bearers of the surname settled.
The Foelker name likely began as an occupational name for someone who was a maker of arrows, also known as a “Flightmacher”. It is believed those bearing the name may have been involved in the Labour Movement during the Industrial Revolution, and many migrated to the United States in the 19th century where their surname was anglicized to ‘Folker’.
Today, the name Foelker is relatively rare. Those bearing the name often have strong ties to either Germany or areas in the western United States where many of the surname’s original bearers settled. While the majority of those with the name are located in the United States and Germany, there are also smaller populations of Foelkers found scattered all across the globe.
Order DNA origin analysisFoelker: Where does the name Foelker come from?
The last name Foelker is most commonly seen in Germany, especially in the western region of the country. The largest concentration of people with this last name is concentrated in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. Outside of Germany, the name can still be found in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In the US, the last name appears to be concentrated in the Midwest, most heavily in the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2018, the highest concentration of the Foelker surname was recorded in Wisconsin, with Wisconsin accounting for 42.2% of all Foelker records listed.
In Canada, only a handful of people have the Foelker name. According to the Canada 2016 Census, only 68 individuals with the surname were reported in the entire country.
Finally, Australia is one of the countries with a low concentration of people with the Foelker surname. The country as a whole has only 70 people with the last name, most of which are concentrated in the states of South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia.
All in all, the Foelker surname is most common in Germany, but can also be found in other countries throughout the world, such as the US, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Foelker
The surname Foelker is an Old Germanic name which dates to pre-medieval times. It is one of those surnames that has been spread across the world due to migration and thus has several variants and different spellings.
In Germany, the most common spelling is Völkel or Fölkel, with "F" having replaced the "V" due to errors caused by the process of writing in handwritten script. Another transcription of the original name is Fölker, which is most commonly found in Northern Germany and the Netherlands. In the United States, Foelker is the most common spelling, representing an Americanized version of the original Germanic name.
Other common variants of the surname are Völker, Voelker, Voelkner, Folkner, and Foulker. Less common variants include Völkner and Volkmer. In Russia, the surname Fälker is thought to be derived from Foelker.
The surname Foelker has many different spellings and has been transliterated into numerous languages. It is one of the more widely spread surnames, with many variations in spelling existing in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia.
Famous people with the name Foelker
- Christina Foelker: Professional singer and songwriter.
- Adam Foelker: NFL football player for the Panthers.
- Travis Foelker: Standup comedian and host of television shows.
- Thomas Foelker: American actor best known for his roles in the film "The Last Exorcism".
- Elizabeth Foelker: Award-winning poet and novelist.
- Christopher Foelker: Director of the La Jolla Symphonic Chorale.
- Kristen Foelker: International track and field athlete.
- David Foelker: Award-winning photographer and film producer.
- Amanda Foelker: Actress and writer, starring in the award-winning film "The Tree of Life".
- Brenda Foelker: Country music singer-songwriter, producer, and songwriter.