Show ContentsMeske History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The German surname Meske emerged in the lands that formed the powerful German state of Prussia, which at one time was an immense German territory that stretched from France and the Low Countries to the Baltic sea and Poland. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the German territories were inhabited by a variety of barbarian tribes. The borders of the barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known as Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in the unification of Germany.

Early Origins of the Meske family

The surname Meske was first found in Prussia, where the name could be considered to have made a great contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of modern Europe. The name became prominent in local affairs, and branched into many houses which played important roles in the tribal and national conflicts, where each group sought power and status in an ever changing territorial profile.

Early History of the Meske family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meske research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1843 is included under the topic Early Meske History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meske 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 Meske include Meske, Meeske, Mieske, Mesec, Messec, Messeck, Meseck, Mesech, Messech, Mesac and many more.

Early Notables of the Meske family

Notable figures of the time with the name Meske were

  • the knight Ludwig Otto Meske, a major in the Russian army, who was ennobled in 1843

Migration of the Meske family

The state of Prussia was a great influence on the shape of modern Germany. After the Second World War, Prussia's land was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany and the state was abolished. Some Prussians remained in those countries after the war, while many others migrated to North America in search of a new start. Philadelphia was their primary point of entry to the United States, after which many of them moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. A large number of Prussians also migrated to Ontario and the prairie provinces as United Empire Loyalists. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Meskes to arrive in North America, and among them were: August Meseck, who came to Texas with his wife Auguste in 1846.


Contemporary Notables of the name Meske (post 1700) +

  • Hernán Carlos Meske (b. 1969), Argentine football manager and former player who played as a defender


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