SCHENK
Schenk
Origin and Etymology
Schenk is a British surname of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "schenk" meaning "cupbearer" or "steward." The surname likely originally denoted someone who worked as a butler or a servant in charge of serving drinks in a noble household.
Distribution and Frequency
The surname Schenk is relatively rare in the United Kingdom, with most occurrences of the name found in regions with historical connections to Germanic populations or significant immigration flows from Germany.
Notable Individuals
Notable individuals with the surname Schenk include:
-
Cornelia Schenk, a fictional character in Thomas Mann's novel "Buddenbrooks", who serves as a maid in the Buddenbrook household.
-
Hans-Joachim Schenk, a German politician who served as a member of the Bundestag.
Variants
Variants of the surname Schenk include Shank, Schank, and Schenke.
Coat of Arms
The Schenk family crest typically features a shield with symbols related to hospitality and service, such as cups, bottles, or keys.
There are approximately 167 people named Schenk in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Schenk.
Region of origin: Europe
Country of origin: Germany
Language of origin: German
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- Colin
- Daniel
- Harald
- Harry
- Kevin
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Warren
Female
- Alexandra
- Anna
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Gesa
- Herta
- Irene
- Janette
- Katie
- Lesley
- Sarah