Surname Lütteke - Meaning and Origin

Lütteke: What does the surname Lütteke mean?

The surname Lütteke is a German surname originating from northern Germany. Derived from Middle Low German, Lütteke translates to "little one," suggesting that the family once had a smaller stature than other families. It is believed that the name set the family apart in its early days.

The earliest records of the Lütteke name in German archives date all the way back to 1302, in the city of Uelzen, Lower Saxony. The name was mentioned on various documents discussing land trades, indicating that the family was likely fairly wealthy by this time.

By the 16th century, mentions of the Lütteke family dwindled, but came back to prominence in the late 17th century when family members Ursula Catharina Lütteke and her brother Hans Hinrich Lütteke were both famously renowned sailors, with a document signed by the mayors of Cuxhaven, a port city in Hamburg.

Today, the Lütteke name is found in many locations across Europe, from Germany and the Netherlands to Belgium and the United Kingdom. Though the meaning has been lost over time, the family still holds an appreciation for its roots.

Lütteke: Where does the name Lütteke come from?

The last name Lütteke is most commonly found in Germany and northern Europe today. It is believed to be of either Germanic or Dutch origin. It is most common in Germany’s northern states, including Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, as well as in the Netherlands. It is also found in countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, as well as other parts of Europe and even some parts of the United States.

The Lütteke name is viewed as an occupational name, meaning it came from or was associated with the occupation of the original bearer. It is believed to be derived from the name of a profession, such as blacksmith (“Sklavener” or “Loder”) or wheelwright (“Radler”). It is also believed to have derived from a place name (“Lutten”) in Lower Saxony, Netherlands.

Other variations on the name include "Luttek," "Lüttke," and "Lüttek." Today, families and individuals with the Lütteke name have a proud Germanic heritage and are found in many areas throughout northern Europe and Europe.

Variations of the surname Lütteke

The surname Lütteke has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. According to the Genealogical Society of Utah, the surname Lütteke can also be spelled as Lutteke, Lütteken, Lutteken, Luttekken, Luttekke, Luttekgen, Luytteken, and Luytteke.

The Lütteke surname can also be found in various parts of the world due to migration. In Germany, this surname can also be found as Luttke, Lutke, Luttkötter, Luttikhuis, and Luttig. Migrants to Canada and the United States also carry this surname as Luttke, Luttick, Luttig, and Lutka.

In France, the Lütteke surname can be found as Luttekens and Lutteke. In Holland, it is spelled as Luttker, Luttikhuis, and Lutekker. In Denmark, the variants of the surname are Lutkvist, Luttke, and Lutckie.

The Lütteke surname can also be found in variations in other countries, such as Latvia, Switzerland, Lithuania, Poland, and Russia.

In Latin America, the surname is used as Lutteken, Lutteke, and Lutteko, while in South Africa and the United Kingdom the surname is spelled as Lutekött, Luntkai, and Lutke.

Finally, variants of the Lütteke surname can be found in Finland in the form of Lutkonen, Luttkanen, and Luttakka.

Famous people with the name Lütteke

• August Lütteke (1873–1950), German politician
• Herbert Lütteke (1912–1977), German actor
• Edwin Lütteke (born 1945), German actor
• Tilman Lütteke (born 1966), German musician
• Heinz Helmut Lütteke (born 1950), German art director, production designer, set designer
• Romain Lütteke (born 1982), Luxembourgish footballer
• Norbert Lütteke (born 1955), German sculptor
• Helmut Lütteke (born 1959), German professor of law
• Herta Lütteke (1925–2006), German actress
• Arnold Lütteke (1930–2017), German composer

Other surnames

Lütteken