Surname Linke - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Discovering the Rich European Heritage & Historical Odyssey of the Linke Lineage through iGENEA DNA Test-
My iGENEA DNA test results have led me on an enlightening odyssey spanning centuries, tracing the origins and evolution of my surname Linke. This exploration takes me from medieval Europe, where the surname originated, to intriguing connections to the Norse region, weaving a gripping narrative of tenacity, resilience and adaptation.
F. Linke
read moreLinke: What does the surname Linke mean?
Linke is a German surname, derived from the Old German word for "left". It was often used as a nickname for someone who was left-handed or who lived to the west of a settlement. In the Middle Ages, names often described a person's characteristics, occupation, or location, so someone with the last name Linke may have ancestors who were left-handed or lived in the west. It's also possible that the surname was used metaphorically for someone who followed unconventional paths, as left-handedness was often associated with nonconformity. However, as with many surnames, the specific origin of the name can vary between different families.
Order DNA origin analysisLinke: Where does the name Linke come from?
The surname Linke has German origins, deriving from the Middle High German word "link", meaning left or left-handed. This name might have been a nickname for someone who used their left hand more than their right. It could also refer to someone who lived on the left-hand side of a river or road. The name has forms in other languages as well, such as "Lynke" in Low German and "Lincke" in High German.
Today, Linke is still most prevalent in Germany, and significant populations of people with this surname also reside in the United States and Australia. It is also found, but less commonly, in countries like Poland, the UK, and Canada. In terms of its distribution in Germany, Linke is particularly common in the eastern regions, including Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg.
Variations of the surname Linke
The surname Linke suggests German origins. Common variations and related surnames derived from the same root word, which means "the left" or "left-handed", include Link, Lincke, Links, Linck, Lincke, Linker, and Linken.
A similar surname of a different origin is the Chinese surname Lin, pronounced in a similar way. However, Linke and Lin are not related as they have distinctive roots and meanings.
Moreover, due to migration and globalization, these surnames have various spellings around the world. Link could be spelled as Lynk in some regions. In some Slavic speaking countries, the surname bears the form of Linka or Linkov.
The spelling and pronunciation of these surnames might vary across different countries and regions due to translation or phonetic notation, but they all can be traced back to the original versions – Link or Linke.
Many families, especially immigrants, may have changed or adapted their surnames over the years for various reasons including assimilation, ease of pronunciation and spelling. Therefore, it is also possible to find other derivations of the original surname.
Famous people with the name Linke
- Eva Linke, German actress
- Armin Linke, documentary photographer
- Johannes Linke, German mathematician
- Goliath Linke, German businessman
- Wilhelm Linke, German actor
- Karl Ludwig Linke, German singer
- Axel Linke, German television producer
- Friedrich Linke, German actor
- Johannes Linke, German physicist
- Eberhard Linke, German rower
- Johannes Linke, German architect
- Michelle Linke, German voice actor
- Giti Linke, German actress
- Paul Linke, American actor
- Joanna Linke-Ziesing, German singer
- Andrea Linke, German writer
- Katrin Linke, German politician
- Erica Linke, American singer-songwriter
- Elisabeth Linke, German philologist
- Volker Linke, German physicist