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

Buhrke, 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 Buhrke surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Buhrke in America

Buhrke is the 150436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Buhrke surname appeared 100 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 Buhrke.

The history of the last name Buhrke

The surname Buhrke is of German origin, specifically stemming from the northern regions of Germany. It likely dates back to the Middle Ages, around the 12th to 14th centuries. The name is believed to have originated from the word "burg," which means castle or fortress in Old High German, suggesting a possible geographical or locational origin related to a dwelling near a fortification.

In terms of linguistic derivation, the name Buhrke carries roots in the Germanic tribes that inhabited northern Europe. It shares similarities with other surnames like Burkhardt or Burchard, which also derive from "burg." Over time, spelling variations emerged due to regional dialects and phonetic changes, including Burk, Burcke, and Bohrke.

The earliest documented occurrence of the surname Buhrke appears in church and municipal records from the 15th century in areas now known as Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. These records document a Heinrich Buhrke (circa 1480-1540), a noted landowner whose signature appears on several civic documents of the time, indicating his prominence in local governance.

Another notable historical figure is Hans Buhrke (1510-1575), a merchant from Hamburg. His name appears in trading registers from the Hanseatic League, where he was involved in the lucrative timber and grain trades. Records from 1562 provide detailed accounts of his business transactions and highlight his role in the economic development of northern Germany.

In the 17th century, Anna Buhrke (1643-1701) became one of the first women in her region to manage a family estate after the death of her husband. Her correspondence and legal actions provide valuable insight into the socio-economic status of women during this period and exemplify the responsibilities she undertook to safeguard her family's holdings.

Friedrich Wilhelm Buhrke (1785-1843) was a distinguished professor of theology at the University of Göttingen. His numerous publications and contributions to theological scholarship earned him recognition across academic circles in Europe. His extensive library and personal manuscripts remain preserved in the university's archives, offering a wealth of information about intellectual life in the early 19th century.

One more figure to note is Otto Buhrke (1847-1910), an inventor and industrialist who played a significant role in Germany's industrial revolution. His innovations in textile machinery significantly advanced production techniques. His patents and business ventures helped shape the industrial landscape in Silesia, contributing to the region's economic prosperity.

The surname Buhrke continues to be associated with historical significance through these individuals and their contributions to their respective fields. The name's longevity and geographic distribution underscore its enduring legacy in German history and heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Buhrke

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

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 Buhrke 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 Buhrke was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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