Funke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The ancient and distinguished surname Funke is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German "funke," meaning "spark," and was most likely originally used to denote a blacksmith. Alternatively, it may have originally been bestowed as a nickname to indicate a very lively person.

Early Origins of the Funke family

The surname Funke was first found in Baden, as well as the Rhineland and Pomerania, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the areas. The young Funke family declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending its influence in struggles for power and status within the region. It branched into many houses, and its contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. The origins of the name make it likely that several branches of the Funke family emerged independently in various areas of Germany. The earliest recorded bearer of the name was a knight called Funke, who was living in the town of Rüdesheim in 1280.

Early History of the Funke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Funke research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1504, 1539, 1642, 1646, 1666, 1699, 1723, 1736, 1746, 1786 and 1836 are included under the topic Early Funke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Funke Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Funck, Funcke, Funcken, Funk, Funke, Funken, Funkh, Funckenheim, Funckner, Funkhauser and many more.

Early Notables of the Funke family

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Funke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Funke Ranking

In the United States, the name Funke is the 8,485^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Funke migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Funke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Heinr Funke, who landed in America in 1833 2
Jos Funke, who arrived in America in 1834 2
John F Funke, aged 34, who landed in Missouri in 1843 2
Herm Anton Jos Funke, who landed in America in 1843 2
M Cath Funke, who arrived in America in 1844 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Funke 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:

Funke Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Carl A. Funke, aged 39, a farm labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 3
Maria Funke, aged 37, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 3
Henry Funke, aged 10, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 3
Ernest Funke, aged 8, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 3
Frederick Funke, aged 6, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Funke (post 1700) +

Michael Funke (b. 1969), German racing driver
Joachim Funke (b. 1953), German professor of psychology at the University of Heidelberg, Germany
Cornelia Caroline Funke (b. 1958), German author of children's books who has sold over 10 million copies of her books
Jaromír Funke (1896-1945), Czech photographer, co-founder of the Czech Photographic Society

Historic Events for the Funke family +

Bismarck

Gerhard Funke (1921-1941), German Matrose II who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 4

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)
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details