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

Wienke, 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 Wienke surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wienke in America

Wienke is the 24572nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wienke surname appeared 1,017 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Wienke.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wienke to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Wienke

The surname Wienke has its origins in Germany, dating back to at least the medieval period. It is believed to be a diminutive form of a personal name such as Winand or Winfried, which were common in the German-speaking regions. These names themselves are derived from the Old High German elements "wini" meaning friend, and "fried" meaning peace.

The surname Wienke likely originated in the northern regions of Germany, specifically in areas such as Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. The Old Saxon language, a precursor of Low German, was spoken here, and it heavily influenced the region's dialect and the development of surnames. Alternative spellings that appeared over the centuries included Wienk, Wink, and Wiencke.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in 1378, in a document from Hamburg. This early reference points to the fact that people with this nomenclature were already established in prominent trade hubs and cities, key locations for the record-keeping of that period. The name Wienke also appears in church records from the 16th century in regions such as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, indicating a spread from its likely origin point.

Among notable historical figures with the surname Wienke, Johannes Wienke stands out, born in 1687 in Brandenburg. He was a known merchant who played a role in the local trade of goods, contributing to the economic life of his community. Another significant figure is Heinrich Wienke, a notable academic born in 1746 in Hanover, known for his writings on early Germanic folklore.

In the 19th century, the name found its way to the Americas through immigrants. Clara Wienke, born in 1821, was among those who emigrated to the United States, settling in Wisconsin. She became known for her work in the early education movement in the then-developing communities of the Midwest.

Furthermore, Friedrich Wienke, born in 1836, was another notable bearer of the surname. A military officer in the Prussian army, he documented several skirmishes and was known for his detailed field maps, which are still referenced by historians studying military tactics of the time.

Moving into the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ernst Wienke, born in 1858, made a name for himself as an engineer. His work contributed to advancements in mechanical engineering and he held several patents for innovations that played a role in the industrial strides of the era.

From its origins in medieval Germany to its spread across the world, the surname Wienke carries with it a history reflective of the movements, occupations, and legacy of those who bore it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wienke

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Wienke 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Wienke has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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