Show ContentsRunke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the distinguished German surname Runke lie in Pomerania. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "Runze," meaning "wrinkle," and was most likely originally bestowed on an older person as a nickname, eventually becoming a surname.

Early Origins of the Runke family

The surname Runke was first found in Pomerania, where it is thought to have first emerged. The earliest known bearer of the name was Conrad Runke, who was a resident of Rostock in 1288. The young Runke family played a major role in the early history of the region, and contributed greatly to the development of Pomeranian society.

Early History of the Runke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Runke research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1765, 1814, 1834 and 1878 are included under the topic Early Runke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Runke Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Runke, Runk, Ronke, Ronk, Runck, Runcke, Ronck and many more.

Early Notables of the Runke family

Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Runke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Runke 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:

Runke Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Wilhelm Runke, (b. 1846), aged 28, German settler from German y travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 1
  • Mrs. Bertha Runke, (b. 1845), aged 29, German settler from German y travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 1
  • Mr. Heinrich Runke, (b. 1866), aged 8, German settler from German y travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 1
  • Miss Bertha Runke, (b. 1872), aged 2, German settler from German y travelling from London aboard the ship "Sussex" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 17th July 1874 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Runke (post 1700) +

  • Walter Runke (b. 1879), American politician, State Senator from Arizona


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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