Brouke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Brouke

What does the name Brouke mean?

The ancestral home of the Brouke family is in the historic German region of Prussia. The name Brouke is an occupational hereditary surname, a type of surname that was taken from a word having to do with the profession of the original bearer. It is a name for a near a bridge. The family name Brouke 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 Brouke stems from the Low German word brauk which means swamp. Alternatively, in the eastern parts of Germany, the surname Brouke originated as a nickname type of surname derived from the Wendish (Slavic) word bruk, which means beetle or bug.

Early Origins of the Brouke family

The surname Brouke 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 Brouke family

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

Brouke 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 Brouke include Bruch, Brucke, Brukke, Breuck, Breucke, Breuch, Breukk, Brueck, Bruech, Bruecke and many more.

Early Notables of the Brouke family

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

Migration of the Brouke family

Since medieval times, the state of Prussia has played an important part in the history of Germany. The state's military powers were historically very strong, and endured until after the Second World War, when the territory was broken up and divided between the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. A spurt of migration followed, with some Prussians going elsewhere in Europe and many others crossing the ocean to North America. Most entered the United States through Philadelphia. Some remained there, while more moved on to the states of Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Others traveled to Canada and settled Ontario and the prairie provinces. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Brouke or a variant listed above: Magdalena and Friedrich Bruck, who both arrived in Philadelphia in 1776; Jacob and Ludwick Bruck arrived in Somerset County, Pa. in 1838; Elis arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1846.