Surname Paffke - Meaning and Origin
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Paffke: What does the surname Paffke mean?
The last name Paffke is of German origin. It is a combination of two words from German, paffen (to puff) and kühe (cows).
The name is thought to have originally been used to denote an occupation. In this case, the Paffke surname likely originally referred to someone who worked with cows and herded them, making use of a tool or noise to control or move them. This tool may have been a bell, a noise made from a different instrument, or simply from shouting.
In modern times, the surname Paffke is still frequently found in Germany, typically with the spelling references to its original spelling. It is most common in Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Hamburg, or Lower Saxony. German Paffkes have also migrated from the region over the centuries, spreading the name throughout the world.
Paffke is an unusual name, but this only serves to make it more interesting. It is a reminder of the inventive and resourceful people of the past who used their creativity to make a living.
Order DNA origin analysisPaffke: Where does the name Paffke come from?
The last name Paffke is most common in northern Germany, in particular in the state of Mecklenburg (or Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). According to genealogical data, the name is also present in neighbouring regions such as Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg and Lower Saxony.
The Paffke name may be derived from the Slavic word "pafel," which means a sheep or goat farmer. The patronymic form of the name is Paffke or Paffken, and it is believed to be descended from an ancient family of landholders who bred sheep and goats in the region.
The Paffke family name can also be found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In these countries, the name is often derived from German immigrants who brought it with them when they moved abroad in past centuries.
The Paffke family crest is a black shield with a silver half-moon, a symbol associated with the moon god Sin, and a red emerging stag as the crest.
Variations of the surname Paffke
The surname Paffke is derived from a German root, with variants and spellings that appear throughout German-speaking countries. It is most commonly spelled as Paffke, but in other countries it appears in different variations. For example, in Germany the spelling too Pafke and Pfaffke are often seen.
In Switzerland, variations of Paffke include Pfaffke, Pfafke, Pfaffe, Pfaf, and Pfaff. In the Netherlands, the surname can be found as Paff, Pfaf, Papf, Pfapf and Paaf. Other variations of Paffke, also found in German-speaking countries, can include Packe, Pfaffe, Paff, Paffen and Pappke.
The surnames Peffe, Peef and Poofe, which are also found in German-speaking countries, are believed to be variants of the Paffke surname. Similarly, in Poland, the surname can appear as Pawka, Pauka, Pawkhack and Pawky.
In the United States, the surname can be found as Paffke or Pfaffke. Variations of the name there include Poffke, Paulke, Paufke, Papke, Pfaff, Pauf, Poof and Popf. Additionally, German immigrants in the United States have given the name an Americanized version, which can appear as Paulf, Paulfke or Paufka.
Overall, the same origin of the Paffke surname can be found in many German-speaking countries, as well as in North America, but it is spelled in different variations. No matter the spelling, this surname contains its same German root and origin.
Famous people with the name Paffke
- Jesse Paffke: Jesse Paffke is an American actor, best known for starring in the movies, Suburbicon (2017), Goon: Last of the Enforcers (2017), and Hide and Seek (2010).
- John Paffke: John Paffke is a Vancouver-based comedy writer and video editor. He has written for the series, "Just for Laughs", as well as appearing in the sketch comedy show, "Googolplex".
- Marcus Paffke: Marcus Paffke is a German entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder and CEO of European venture capital fund, The Factory, as well as a board member and advisor to several startups.
- Bruce Paffke: Bruce Paffke is an American-born engineer and scientist. He is a professor of electronic and computer engineering at the University of Maryland, and the founder of the Paffke Research and Development Center.
- Gary Paffke: Gary Paffke is an American basketball coach, best known for his time as head coach of the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s men’s basketball team from 1981 to 1984.
- Joe Paffke: Joe Paffke is a former National Football League player. He played for the Green Bay Packers in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- Lona Paffke: Lona Paffke is a Canadian painter and mixed media artist. Her work has been widely exhibited, and is in the collections of numerous galleries, including the Art Gallery of Ontario.
- Linn Paffke: Linn Paffke is a Norwegian artist and sculptor. Based in Oslo, she has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally, and her sculptures are in the permanent collections of several galleries.