Volke is a name that first reached
England following the
Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the Norman
personal name Fulco. The line of this name descends from the noble house of
Fulco Nerra, who held the title of Count of
Anjou,
Normandy.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X) Guido Fitz-Fulco of
Normandy was listed in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae (1180-1195.)
Early Origins of the Volke family
The surname Volke was first found in
Norfolk where they were granted lands by William de Warrene. The first confirmed record of the family was Folco or Fulco who was listed in the
Domesday Book of 1086.
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) Rotuli Curiae Regis rolls list Robert, Geoffry, Theobald, William F. Fulco in
England, 1199.
The mix of forename and surname entries continued for some time as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists Folkes (without surname) in Cambridgeshire; John Folke in Cambridgeshire; and Matilda Folkis in Buckinghamshire. [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The ffolkes variant was first coined by Sir Martin Browne ffolkes, 1st Baronet, FRS (1749-1821.) He was born Martin Folkes but chose to use the "ffolkes" spelling later in life. His descendants continued the tradition.
Early History of the Volke family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Volke research.
Another 217 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1653, 1685, 1596, 1662, 1644, 1652, 1638, 1710, 1690, 1765, 1690 and 1754 are included under the topic Early Volke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Volke Spelling Variations
Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime.
Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Volke family name include Folke, Folk, Folkes, Fulke, Fooke, Fooks, Foolk, Fowke and many more.
Early Notables of the Volke family (pre 1700)
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Fowke
(c. 1596-1662), an English merchant and politician, Sheriff of London in 1644 and Lord Mayor of London in 1652; Phineas Fowke, M.D. (1638-1710), an...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Volke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Volke family to Ireland
Some of the Volke family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 106 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Volke family to the New World and Oceana
To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Volke family to immigrate North America: Frederick, George, Hannah, Henry, and John Folk, who all settled in Philadelphia, Pa,. between 1753 and 1877; Jacob and John Folke settled there in 1737 and 1753 respectively. John Folkes settled in America in 1770.
Contemporary Notables of the name Volke (post 1700)
- Maximilian Volke, German fighter pilot and flying ace in the Luftwaffe, during World War II, credited with 37 aerial victories
The Volke Motto
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Qui sera sera
Motto Translation: Whatever will be.