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Linke History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Citations

Linke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Austria is the homeland of the Linke family. Originally, the Austrian people were known only by a single name. The process by which hereditary surnames were adopted in Austria is extremely interesting. The process took place during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Often they adopted names that were derived from nicknames.

Early Origins of the Linke family

The surname Linke was first found in Austria, where the name became noted for its many branches within the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied and enrolled by the princes of the region. Chronicles mention one Francze Lynke (Lynkehand) of Liegnitz in 1397, and one Herman Lynkfuss of Sorau in 1381. The literal meaning of the name was "left-handed," or even "one who is clumsy or awkward," but was taken on by numerous branches of the family. They became a power unto themselves, and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew wealthier and more influential.

Early History of the Linke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Linke research. Another 165 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1286, 1658, 1674, 1734, 1807, 1816, 1820 and 1905 are included under the topic Early Linke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Linke Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Linke include Linker, Lincker, Link, Linke, Linke, Lynker, Lyncker, Lynke, Linkhand, Lyncke and many more.

Early Notables of the Linke family

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

Linke Ranking

In the United States, the name Linke is the 15,143^rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Linke migration to the United States +

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians 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 Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Linke were

Linke Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jacob Linke, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1749 2

Linke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

N Linke, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1845 2
G Linke, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1845 2
H Linke, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 2
F Linke, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 2
Bertha Linke, who arrived in New York, NY in 1851 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Linke migration to Australia +

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

Linke Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

J. Christian Linke, aged 30, a farmer, who arrived in South Australia in 1847 aboard the ship "Gellert" 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Linke (post 1700) +

Paul Linke (b. 1948), American actor, known for his role as Officer Arthur "Artie" Grossman in CHiPs (1977-1983)
Susanne Linke (b. 1944), German dancer and freelance choreographer
Christopher Linke (b. 1988), German race walker at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Carsten Linke (b. 1965), retired German professional footballer who played from 1988 to 2003
Thomas Linke (b. 1969), retired German professional footballer who played from 1988 to 2008
Mariusz Ryszard Linke (1969-2022), Polish professional mixed martial artist and grappler who was most notable for being the first Polish born black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Edward Karl "Ed" Linke (1911-1988), Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1933 to 1938

Historic Events for the Linke family +

Bismarck

Gerhard Linke (1916-1941), German Obermaschinenmaat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 4
Artur Linke (1919-1941), German Maschinengefreiter 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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) GELLERT 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847Gellert.htm
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details