Surname Luerken - Meaning and Origin
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Luerken: What does the surname Luerken mean?
The last name Luerken is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the personal name Lorek, a variant form of Lothar. Alternatively, the name may be derived from the old German word "lorken," meaning either cutting or shearing or ploughing, suggesting an occupational origin for the surname.
Historically, the surname was used by people who lived in the German region of Westphalia. The name is also found in the Netherlands, Belgian, Danish, Austrian, and Swedish areas.
The earliest known use of the name is 16th century Germany. An early member of the family, Jordan Luerken, was Dean of the Limburg Cathedral in 1635.
The Luerken surname has experienced various spelling variations, such as Luer, Lorken, Lürken, Luerk, Lörken, Lorken, and Lürken.
In modern day, the surname Luerken is still present in the Eastern, Central, and parts of Northern Europe, along with America and other regions. Notably, the namemade an appearance in the 1890 U.S. Census.
Overall, the last name Luerken is a commonly found European surname with a variety of purported spellings, which were likely adjusted according to cultural variations. It is thought to have originated from either the personal name Lorek or an occupational origin related to cutting or ploughing.
Order DNA origin analysisLuerken: Where does the name Luerken come from?
The last name Luerken is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a German-origin name, and the majority of people who currently bear the name live in the northwest parts of the country. Additionally, the surname is also quite common in the Dutch region of Friesland, where it is spelled as “Lurken”. Despite being predominantly found in Germany, the Luerken surname can be found in smaller numbers in other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Belgium.
A cursory search on ancestry.com reveals that the first recorded person with the last name Luerken was Helmige Luerken, born in 1599 in Plettenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Luerken is a very common name in Nordrhein-Westfalen, the most populous state in Germany, and the most populous state in Europe with over 18 million residents.
The Luerken surname likely originated in the medieval period, when Europeans began to adopt hereditary surnames, naming families after a common ancestor or location. Over time, the name expand throughout the continent as more and more people had similar last names. Today, the name is most commonly found in Germany, and although it is relatively uncommon in other countries, there are still a small number of people bearing the Luerken surname.
Variations of the surname Luerken
Luerken is a surname derived from the given name Lurch, and is common in northwestern Germany. The most common spelling of this surname is Lurken, but variations include Lürken, Lüerken, Luerken, and Laerken.
In the United States, the spelling Lurken is most common. Variations of the Lurken surname can also be found in historical records, such as the form Lurkne, which was oftentimes used in families with Dutch ancestry.
The surname Lobker is the Dutch version of the surname Lurken. This form of the name was likely the result of Dutch immigrants becoming proud of their heritage, wanting to honor it by changing the spelling of their surname. Variants of Lobker may include Labker, Lobke, Labke, and Labek.
Similar surnames include Luehrken, Lührken, Lühring, Lühringen, Lühr, Lumpers, Lumps, and Lumm.
The surname Lurken is literally translated to "wolf" in Dutch, so it is possible that many family members who adopted this surname believed it was earned due to a fierce character or ancestor. Although the origin of the surname is somewhat unclear, the surnames Lurken and Lobker likely evolved from the same ancient surname.
Famous people with the name Luerken
- Jannis Luerken: Jannis Luerken is a German actor best known for his roles in films such as 'The Wave' (2008) and 'Wim Wenders: The End of the Road' (2016).
- Thomas Luerken: Thomas Luerken is a German film producer who has worked on several major German productions, such as 'My Daughter's Secret' (2008) and 'Die Drachenfunker' (2013).
- Jutta Luerken: Jutta Luerken is a German voice actress who has done voice work for animated features such as 'Kahlkopf' (2009) and 'Alice in den Stadten' (1978).
- Malte Luerken: Malte Luerken is a German film director who has written and directed several award-winning documentaries, such as 'Selerno' (2006), 'The Journey' (2012), and 'President Obama' (2014).
- Lutz Luerken: Lutz Luerken is a German actor and writer who has appeared in films such as 'Tod aus dem Paradies' (1991) and 'Der letzte Kampf' (2005).
- Werner Luerken: Werner Luerken is a German painter who has exhibited his works extensively throughout Europe. He is known for his abstract mixed-media works and installations that explore the relationship between nature and art.
- Dorothea Luerken: Dorothea Luerken is a German sculptor and installation artist whose work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions throughout Europe. She is best known for her sculptural works that explore the notion of space and architecture.
- Peter Luerken: Peter Luerken is a German photographer who has been featured in numerous publications across Europe, including GQ magazine and Stern magazine. He is best known for his editorial and fashion photography that features portraits of people in their everyday lives.