Radke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The surname Radke is a local surname; it is derived from the place name Radeck, a castle in Oppel, in Silesia. While it is generally regarded that the name was from this area, the first record of the name was in Switzerland. The derivation from the place name Radeck makes this a habitation surname; that is, a surname based upon an already existing place name. The other type of local name is topographic names, based upon a physical feature of the local geography, such as a forest, or a river, and so on.

Early Origins of the Radke family

The surname Radke was first found in Switzerland, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. Chronicles first mention Heinrich von Radekke of Upper-Austria in 1256, and Hans Radecker of Eger in Bohemia around 1395.

Early History of the Radke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Radke research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1233, 1733, 1776 and 1791 are included under the topic Early Radke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Radke Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Radecke, Radek, Radeke, Radeck, Radecki, Radacke, Radake, Radacker, Radecker and many more.

Early Notables of the Radke family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Radke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Radke Ranking

In the United States, the name Radke is the 9,783^rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Radke migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Radke Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

J. Radke, who settled in Texas in 1853
Alexander Radke, who landed in America in 1869 2
August Radke, aged 45, who arrived in New York, NY in 1878 2
Carl Radke, aged 32, who landed in New York, NY in 1878 2
Martin Radke, who arrived in Arkansas in 1892 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Radke 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:

Radke Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Frederick Radke, aged 25, a farm labourer, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Dallam Tower" in 1875
Gustavus Radke, aged 8, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Dallam Tower" in 1875
Rudolph Radke, aged 6, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Dallam Tower" in 1875
Emilia Radke, aged 17, a servant, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Dallam Tower" in 1875
Ernestina Radke, aged 15, a servant, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Dallam Tower" in 1875
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Radke (post 1700) +

Marian Radke (1918-2007), American child psychologist
Bill Radke, American radio talk show host, web video host, author, comedian and columnist
Brad William Radke (b. 1972), former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher
Franz Christopher Radke (b. 1889), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Nebraska State House of Representatives, 1917; Delegate to Nebraska State Constitutional Convention, 1919-20 3
Dorene Radke, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1972 3
Karoline Radke (1903-1983), German runner

Historic Events for the Radke family +

Bismarck

Johannes Radke (1921-1941), 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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details