Surname Folker - Meaning and Origin
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Folker: What does the surname Folker mean?
The last name Folker is of German and Dutch origin, most likely derived from the Middle High German words folkers, which means "rough and hard." The name would have likely been given to a person who exhibited qualities of strength and toughness.
The German and Dutch surname Folker can be traced to the ancient Lords of Folkiers, which is a descendant of the ancient Germanic tribe of Burgundians. This tribe was located in the Lower Rhine region of what is now Germany and the Netherlands.
In modern times, the last name Folker is most commonly associated with the meaning of a strong, resilient individual. It can also refer to a person who is hardworking, reliable, and passionate about the tasks they take on. Folker is also commonly used to refer to someone who has a good sense of self and is not afraid to stand up for what they believe in.
In Germany, the surname Folker is mostly connected to the areas of Westphalia and the Lower Rhine. The name is also found in the Netherlands, where it is usually located in the province of Zeeland.
Today, Folker is a common surname throughout the German-speaking countries, as well as in Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and areas of America to which many Germans have emigrated over the centuries. The last name Folker is also popular in many other countries around the world, especially those with strong Germanic connections.
Order DNA origin analysisFolker: Where does the name Folker come from?
The surname Folker is of German origin, and is an occupational name, derived from the Middle High German language, and derived from the word "volchere", which means "shepherd". Today, the surname Folker is still common in Germany, as well as in some other European countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. In the United States, Folker is most often found in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.
In Canada, Folker is most commonly found in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. In Australia, Folker is most frequently seen in the state of South Australia, as well as in the larger cities of Sidney and Brisbane. In New Zealand, the Folker surname is found in both the North and South Islands, mostly concentrated in the North Island cities of Auckland, Wellington, and Hamilton.
While relatively uncommon in the larger cities of many countries, Folker is still fairly widespread in rural areas, where the surname's occupational roots may lie. This may be due in part to the fact that the occupation of shepherd was an important position in early agricultural cultures, giving the surname a high frequency in rural areas, where sheep farming and other small farm operations have often been the mainstay.
Variations of the surname Folker
Folker is a German surname that is thought to be of locative origin. It is thought to have emerged from a place named Folker, which is probably derived from the Old High German word 'folc', meaning 'people'. The surname can be spelt a variety of ways, depending on where it arose in Europe.
In Germany, it is most commonly spelt as Folker, but it can also be spelled Felker, Fölker and Föller. In Scandinavia, it is usually seen as Folcker, which is likely due to the characteristic omission of the umlaut in the Swedish language. In other regions, it can also appear as Völker, Volker and Fulkers.
The surname also has a number of variants, forms and spellings from other cultures. In Russia and the Baltic states, the surname Folker can appear as Fjulker, Folger and Fyulker. In the Netherlands, it is sometimes spelt as Fõlgers. And in other regions, it can appear with different spellings or combinations of letters such as Fulkers, Foulkers, Fullkers and Folkers.
Surnames of the same origin can also be found with different spellings and in different cultures. For example, in Italy, the surname Folker can appear as Folck and Fulk. And in the United States and Canada, Folker is seen as Folke, Folks and Fulk. Similarly, in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Folker is spelt as Folkes and Folkerd.
In summary, the variations of the German surname Folker include Folker, Felker, Fölker, Föller, Folcker, Völker, Volker, Fulkers, Foulkers, Fullkers, Folkers, Fjulker, Folger, Fyulker, Fõlgers, Folck, Fulk, Folke, Folks, Folkes and Folkerd.
Famous people with the name Folker
- Arjen Folker: Dutch field hockey player
- Jan Folker: Dutch field hockey goalkeeper
- Dannica Folker: Dutch actress
- Wouter Folker: Dutch professional racing cyclist
- Pim Folker: Dutch road bicycle racer
- John Folker: Actor, writer, director, and producer best known for his portrayal of Jonah on the soap opera Passions
- Cornelia Folker: Dutch network designer and consultant
- Gerd Folker: German track and field athlete
- Henk Folker: Dutch former professional road bicycle racer
- Toon Folker: Dutch professional road bicycle racer and former professional ice hockey player