Franke
A surname that usually began as a nickname for someone “the Frank” or “the free man,” and in some cases points to Frankish or French ancestry.
The #4,802 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 41,955 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname is built on the old Germanic word behind English “free” and “Frank.” In medieval records it often appears as a nickname meaning “the Frank,” that is, a member of the Frankish people, or more broadly someone thought of as free or frank in status. The ending -e reflects a common Germanic surname form, especially in German-speaking areas.
History
The historical excerpts show Franke in English medieval records as well as in German surname discussion, which fits a surname that arose independently in more than one region. In German usage it is closely related to Frank and Franck, and some authors also link related forms to Frankish regional identity. In English records, it appears early as a byname and later as an established hereditary surname.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
German surname writers often grouped Franke with other old ethnic surnames like Bayer, Schwab, and Sachs.
From the historical record
“frank,' i.e. free; O.F./raHC. Walter le Franke, co. Wiha, 1173. A. W|lliaiDleFraank.CloMRo1l,SBdw.I, 111 ; Kitby'l Quest, J”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances