LUCKE

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Lucke

Lucke is a British surname with Germanic origins. The name is derived from the Old High German word "luc", meaning 'lock' or 'bolt'. It is believed to have been used as an occupational surname for a locksmith or someone who worked with locks and keys.

Historical Origins

The surname Lucke has been found in records dating back to the medieval period in England and Germany. It is likely that individuals bearing this surname were involved in the burgeoning trade and craftsmanship associated with locksmithing during this time. Over the centuries, the surname has spread to various English-speaking countries and has undergone variations in spelling, including Luck, Luick, and Louck.

Notable Individuals

John Lucke (b. 1950): British politician and former Member of Parliament for the Luckford constituency.
Eleanor Lucke (1901–1987): Renowned English botanist and conservationist, known for her work in preserving endangered plant species.

Distribution

The surname Lucke is relatively uncommon in the United Kingdom, with clusters of individuals bearing the name found mostly in southern England and the Midlands. It has also been identified in regions of Germany and other parts of Europe due to historical migration patterns.

Variants

Luck: A common variant of the surname Lucke, likely originating as an Anglicised form.
Luick: A less common variant that may reflect regional or dialectal differences in pronunciation.

References

Reaney, P. H. & Wilson, R. M. (2008). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge.
Hanks, P. & Hodges, F. (2006). A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 67 people named Lucke in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Lucke.

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.