Surname Grzelke - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Grzelke: What does the surname Grzelke mean?
The last name Grzelke has its origin in the German language. The name can be broken down to two parts: grze, which means barriers or fencing, and lke, which comes from the German word kelk which means bowl. Combined, the name could be interpreted literally as a "barrier made of a bowl" or more figuratively as a "protective bowl".
The family name has been found in Prussian, Bohemian and Polish records from the early 16th century, when surnames were much more commonly found in these parts of the world than they had been before. It suggests the Grzelke family has been a part of the area for several generations.
The most common variation of this name today is Grzelka, which has been used in other parts of Europe for centuries. Its meaning and origin remain the same, though the spelling may have changed. The last name can also be found spelled differently in some records, such as Grażelke, Grzlek, Grazleck, or Grzela.
The Grzelke name is uncommon today, but it is widely accepted in both Europe and America as a surname that is both meaningful and historically significant. The family can trace their roots back centuries, which gives them a strong sense of pride. As the Grzelke family continues to share their rich history with the world, the meaning of their name will remain a part of their legacy for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisGrzelke: Where does the name Grzelke come from?
The last name Grzelke is most common today in Germany. Since the late 1800s, more than half of all Grzelke families have resided in Germany. The name is believed to have originated in the Silesian region of Prussian (now German) Silesia as areflective of the region's local dialect.
Due to two world wars, however, many Germans with the last name Grzelke were dispersed around Europe and beyond, with the name appearing in Russia, The Netherlands, United States, and Canada, among other countries. The name is uncommon in Poland, where only a handful of Grzelke families remain.
In the United States, the last name is most common in the state of Wisconsin, where the original German immigrants with the last name settled in the late 1800s. The name Grzelke is also found throughout the rest of the Midwest and most commonly throughout the industrial states and border states.
The meaning of the last name varies between a German colloquialism for an "innocent" person, and more negative terms such as a "peasant." It is further unclear exactly where the surname Grzelke originated, though it is believed to have been developed as a descriptive term for locals in the Silesian area.
Variations of the surname Grzelke
The surname Grzelke is German in origin and is derived from the word "Graf", meaning count or nobleman. It is most commonly seen in spelling as Grzelke, but it can also appear as Grzalke, Grzalka, and Grzalko. Other versions are Grafelke, Gräfelke, Grafelka, Gräfelka, Grafelko, and Gräfelko.
Various surnames of similar sounding origins to Grzelke include Gravelke, Gravellke, Grezlick, Graffelke, Groffelke, Gruffelke, Grisellke, Groselke, Grossle, Grüselke, Grafel, Grevele, Grayvele, Grössling, Grefsel, Grafl, Grofl, Gruefel, Grupel, Gröfel, Greufel, Grohafle, Grohfeld, Grolof, and Grischof.
This surname is also seen in other spellings in both English and other languages such as Dutch and German. In English, this surname can appear as Graffel, Graffle, Gravel, Gravil, Grayvel, Graevil, Grievell, Graville, Grovile, Gravelle, Gravelley, Gravilay, Gravell, Graval, and Gravelin. In Dutch, this surname can become Groenenveld, Graaffenveld, Grimpeveld, Groenvelder, Grunveld, and Grunvelder. In German, one might find Grebslack, Gröasel, Grusel, Grösel, Grüsel, Graslack, Grüzleck, Godelke, Griffin, Grzywacz, Grzysiak, Grzzymek, and Grzymek.
Overall, Grzelke is one of many variants and spellings of a German surname of noble origins.
Famous people with the name Grzelke
- Wilma Grzelke: German actress
- John Grzelke: former American astronaut
- Đorđe Grzelke: Serbian rock musician
- Max Grzelke: former German bobsledder
- Jakob Grzelke: German artist
- Cyprien Grzelke: German cinematographer
- Siegfried Grzelke: German violist and orchestra director
- George Grzelke: American Olympic medalist in swimming
- Irmtraud Grzelke: German author
- Hedwig Grzelke: German opera singer
- Françoise Grzelke: French historian
- Luis Grzelke: German football manager
- Larry Grzelke: American social psychologist and professor
- Micha Grzelke: German artist
- Ingo Grzelke: German music producer