Find out how popular the last name Blancke is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Blancke.

Blancke, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Blancke surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Blancke in America

Blancke is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Blancke surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Blancke.

The history of the last name Blancke

Blancke is a surname that has its origins in Northwestern Europe, particularly in the regions that are modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. The surname is believed to be derived from the Old French term "blanc," meaning "white" or "fair." This was likely a nickname referring to someone with blond hair or a fair complexion. The term "blanc" itself has roots in the Latin word "blancus," which also means "white" or "bright."

In the medieval period, surnames began to be used more commonly in Western Europe, and Blancke appears in various records dating back to this era. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in the form of "Blanc" or "Blanq" in old Flemish manuscripts from the late 12th to early 13th century. This suggests that the name was well-established in the region by that time.

Historical references to the surname Blancke can be found in various documents. For example, the name appears in the records of the Hanseatic League's activities in the 14th century, where a merchant named Jan Blancke was noted for his trade activities in the port city of Bruges. Jan Blancke was born in 1325 and was recognized as an influential figure in the local trade community until his death in 1389.

Another notable individual with this surname was Pieter Blancke, a Flemish painter from the 15th century, known for his contributions to the religious and portrait painting genres. Pieter Blancke was born in 1440 and was active until his death in 1508. His works can be found in various churches and museums throughout Belgium.

Moving into the 16th century, one of the most famous bearers of the surname was Cornelius Blancke, a Dutch cartographer and explorer. Born in 1510, Cornelius Blancke was involved in several expeditions to the New World and was instrumental in creating some of the earliest maps of the Americas. Cornelius passed away in 1572, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering exploration.

In the 17th century, the surname Blancke appeared in England as well. Immigration and trade brought people with this surname to places like London. Thomas Blancke, a merchant born in 1645, was noted for his associations with the East India Company. Thomas Blancke was involved in significant trade deals until his passing in 1701.

The 18th century saw individuals like Marie Blancke, born in 1777 in Belgium, who became a notable writer and intellectual figure in the Age of Enlightenment. She authored several philosophical and political treatises, influencing the public discourse of her time. Marie Blancke lived a long life, contributing to literature and philosophy until her death in 1854.

The Blancke surname has thus been associated with a variety of professions and areas including trade, art, exploration, and intellectual pursuits throughout history. Its presence in historical documents across different regions of Europe attests to its enduring legacy and the significant contributions of individuals bearing this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Blancke

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Blancke.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Blancke was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Blancke was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Blancke, please contact us.

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