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Starke History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Starke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Finland
Germany

The surname Starke is a Westphalian-German nickname. Such surnames were very common in Westphalia. They were adapted from traditional eke-names, or added names, that described physical characteristics of their bearers. Starke is a hereditary surname for a person who was noted for being strong and powerful. The name Starke was originally derived from the German word "starc," which means "strong."

Early Origins of the Starke family

The surname Starke was first found in Westphalia, where the name was associated with the noble family whose seat was in the area around Bochum. They gained a significant reputation for contributions to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society.

Early History of the Starke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Starke research. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1742, 1811 and 1874 are included under the topic Early Starke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Starke Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Starke include Starck, Starcke, Stark, Starke (Lausitz), Staerk, Staerkel, Staerkle and many more.

Early Notables of the Starke family

More information is included under the topic Early Starke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Starke Ranking

In the United States, the name Starke is the 10,974^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Starke migration to the United States +

For many Germans, emigration to North America was an inviting alternative to the trials of life in the old country. From the mid-17th into the present century, thousands of Germans migrated across the Atlantic. They capitalized on the chance to escape poverty and persecution, and to own their own land. After 1650, Germans settled throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also landed in Canada, settling in Ontario or father west on the rich land of the prairies. Among them:

Starke Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Comfort Starke, who landed in New England in 1634 2

Starke Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johann Ludwig Starke and Tobias Starke, who settled in America in 1753
Joh Ludwig Starke, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 2
Tobias Starke, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 2

Starke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Christine Starke, who landed in Texas in 1845 2
Marie Starke, who landed in Texas in 1846 2
Max and Otto Starke, who settled in Texas in 1852
Auguste Starke, who settled in Texas in 1853

Starke migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Starke Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Sarah Starke, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Marion" in 1849 3
Thomas R. Starke, aged 25, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Marion" in 1849 3
Elizabeth Starke, aged 28, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Marion" in 1849 3
Thomas E. Starke, aged 1, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Marion" in 1849 3
Thomas R. Starke, aged 25, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Marion" 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Starke migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Starke Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Henry Starke, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blue Jacket" in 1865
Mary Starke, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blue Jacket" in 1865
William Starke, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blue Jacket" in 1865
Richard Starke, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blue Jacket" in 1865
Prudence Starke, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blue Jacket" in 1865
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Starke (post 1700) +

Anthony Starke (b. 1963), American actor
Michael Starke (b. 1955), American neo-baroque composer
Pauline Starke (1901-1977), American silent-film actress from Joplin, Missouri, she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
George Lawrence Starke (b. 1948), American former NFL football offensive lineman who played for the Washington Redskins
Kurt Starke (1911-2000), German radiochemist
Ute Starke (1939-1968), German bronze medalist gymnast at the 1968 Summer Olympics
Benjamin Starke (b. 1986), German silver and bronze medalist Olympic swimmer
Andrasch Starke (b. 1974), German jockey in international Thoroughbred horse racing
Tom Starke (b. 1981), German football goalkeeper
Gerhard Starke (b. 1916), Chief Editor of the German newspaper "Die Welt"
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The MARION 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Marion.htm