Finke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Israel

From the historical and enchanting region of Austria emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Finke 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. Surnames evolved 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. Nickname surnames were derived from an "eke-name," or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The name Finke is a nickname type of surname for a cheerful person who sings songs. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the German word fink, which means finch, which is a type of small bird.

Early Origins of the Finke family

The surname Finke was first found in Austria, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Finke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Finke research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1445, 1527, 1718, 1766, 1783, 1792, 1804, 1808, 1809, 1820, 1827, 1841, 1842 and 1846 are included under the topic Early Finke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Finke Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Finke include Finck, Fincke, Finckl (Bavaria), Finncke, Fink, Finke, Finkl, Finke and many more.

Early Notables of the Finke family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Finke were Heinrich Finck (1445-1527), who was composer and court musician for both Polish and German princes. Friedrich August von Finck (1718-1766) was a Prussian soldier who served in the Danish and Russian forces. Gottfried Wilhelm Fink (1783-1846), theologian and musical critic was born March 7, 1783, at Sulz in Thuringia...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Finke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Finke Ranking

In the United States, the name Finke is the 9,703^rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Finke 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 Finke were

Finke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

J Finke, who arrived in North America in 1832 2
Christian Finke, aged 19, who settled in Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Apollo"
Cath Mars Finke, who landed in America in 1845 2
W Fr Finke, who arrived in America in 1847 2
Heinr W Finke, who landed in America in 1847 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Finke Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

August Finke, who landed in Arkansas in 1910 2

Finke migration to Australia +

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

Finke Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Joseph Finke, aged 46, a blacksmith, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Pauline" 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Finke (post 1700) +

Roger Finke, American Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies at The Pennsylvania State University
Nikki Jean Finke (1953-2022), American blogger, journalist, publisher and writer
Fritz Finke, American German choral conductor, composer and arranger
Robert "Bobby" Finke OLY (b. 1999), American swimmer, has won two gold medals at the 2020 Summer Olympics, silver medal winner at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Herbert Finke, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1952 4
Gene Finke, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Texas State House of Representatives 77th District, 1996 4
Volker Finke (b. 1948), German former football manager and a former player
Thomas David Finke (b. 1981), also known as T.D. Finck von Finckenstein, German singer-songwriter as well as composer of electronic computer music, theatre music and for modern dance
Peter Finke (b. 1944), German theoretical physicist
Meinolf Finke (b. 1963), German writer and poet
... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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) PAULINE 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Pauline.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 20) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html