Show ContentsBrucke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the Brucke family are found in the historic German region of Prussia. Brucke is one of the German patronymic surnames, that is, a name derived from the given name of the father of the surname bearer. Brucke is derived from near a bridge. The family name Brucke was originally derived from the German word brücke, which in turn was originally derived from the Old German brugga, which means bridge. However, in the Low German regions, the name Brucke stems from the Low German word brauk which means swamp. Alternatively, in the eastern parts of Germany, the surname Brucke originated as a nickname type of surname derived from the Wendish (Slavic) word bruk, which means beetle or bug.

Early Origins of the Brucke family

The surname Brucke was first found in Bavaria, where the name Bruck became noted for its many branches with the region where each house acquired a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region.

One of the first records of the family was Ocko I tom Brok (de Broke) (c. 1345-1389), Chieftain of the Brokmerland and the Auricherland in East Frisia, a former territory on Germany's North Sea coast (1376-1389.) His son, Ocko II tom Brok (1407-1435) was also Chieftain of the Brokmerland and the Auricherland in East Frisia.

Early History of the Brucke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brucke research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1515 and 1554 are included under the topic Early Brucke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brucke Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Brucke include Bruch, Brucke, Brukke, Breuck, Breucke, Breuch, Breukk, Brueck, Bruech, Bruecke and many more.

Early Notables of the Brucke family

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


United States Brucke migration to the United States +

Prussia played an extremely influential role in shaping modern German history. It remained a part of Germany until after the Second World War. Prussia was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. Many Prussians became residents of these new countries after the War, and many migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly to Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Brucke were

Brucke Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • V Brucke, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1754 [1]
  • Friedrich Brucke, who arrived in America in 1780 [1]
Brucke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Brucke, aged 30, who landed in Missouri in 1847 [1]
  • John Brucke, who arrived in Missouri in 1847


  1. 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)


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