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

Witzke, 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 Witzke surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Witzke in America

Witzke is the 25459th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Witzke surname appeared 971 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 Witzke.

We can also compare 2010 data for Witzke 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 Witzke

The surname Witzke has its origins in Germany and likely dates back to the medieval period. It is thought to have emerged in the regions of Eastern Prussia and Pomerania. The name Witzke is of Slavic origin, deriving from the diminutive form of names like Witołd or Witomir, which consist of elements meaning "lord" or "ruler." This indicates that the surname may have been originally used to denote someone with these names or as an indication of ancestry or affiliation with a person bearing one of these names.

Old German records and manuscripts from the Middle Ages provide glimpses into the early applications of surnames like Witzke. Documented references can be found as early as the 16th century, where the name appears in church records and land ownership documents from regions such as Brandenburg and Pomerania. The spelling variations seen throughout history include Witzko and Wizke, reflecting regional dialects and orthographic differences.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname is Martin Witzke, born around 1580, who was mentioned in municipal records in Pomerania. The Witzke family appears repeatedly in legal documents concerning land disputes, showing that the family held significant landholdings and had notable status in their community.

A prominent historical figure bearing the name Witzke is Georg Witzke, born in 1705 and died in 1776, who was a noted landowner and community leader in Brandenburg. His contributions to local governance are well-documented in town council records, illustrating the influence held by the Witzke name in local affairs.

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Johann Friedrich Witzke (1751-1813) was an important figure in Prussian history, known for his roles in agrarian reforms and modernization efforts within rural communities. His involvement in the Prussian agricultural policies earned him a distinct place in historical records.

Adolf Witzke, born in 1829 and passed away in 1887, was a significant cultural figure in Pomerania. He is remembered for his work in preserving regional folklore and traditions, contributing to several collections of local tales that remain influential in cultural studies today.

Another notable individual with the surname Witzke is Hans Witzke, born in 1896 and died in 1950, who was a mathematician and academic. He published several notable research papers on algebraic structures that had a lasting impact on the field of mathematics.

Through the centuries, the Witzke name has been carried by individuals who made significant contributions to their societies, emphasizing the diverse roles this family has played in historical contexts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Witzke

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

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

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

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