Surname Begalke - Meaning and Origin

Begalke: What does the surname Begalke mean?

The last name Begalke is of German origin. Derived from the German 'pfalzgraven', the name, literally meaning 'count of the Palatinate' in English, was originally an occupational name for a count or high-ranking official in the Palatinate, an area divided among Bavaria, Baden, and the Rhineland-Palatinate in modern-day Germany.

In America the Begalke family settled in the French and German colonial area of Pennsylvania. Originally spelled "Begalka", the family was comprised of a newly arrived German immigrant named Jakob Begalke who brought his daughter, two sons, and their families to the area in the early 1800s. From this beginning, they lived and farmed in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana undergoing numerous relocations along the way.

Quite a few Begalkes served in the military during the Civil War, including my own ancestor, Charles Begalke. Serving in both Illinois and Kentucky in the Union Army, Charles would later marry, father six children, and then eventually settle in Ohio following his honorable discharge in 1865.

The German spelling of the name might have changed during the many generations, however Begalke remains a distinctively unique surname to this day. As various branches of this family have unfolded, Begalke can now be found in locations across the United States, including Missouri, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. With individuals of this surname continuing to produce prominent families full of hard working people, the legacy of Jakob and Charles Begalke look to be in good hands.

Begalke: Where does the name Begalke come from?

The last name Begalke is most commonly found among individuals of German ethnicity. According to surname distribution data from Forebears, the highest concentration of individuals bearing the name Begalke is found in the eastern and northern parts of Germany. Begalke occurs more prevalently in East and North German states, such as Saxony, Brandenburg, and Saxony-Anhalt. Begalke is a relatively rare last name, with 643 individuals recorded in Germany in 2020 and only an estimated 383 individuals in the United States.

The etymology of Begalke is uncertain, and accordingly, its exact origin is disputed. Some suggest that the name is derived from the old Germanic name "bergal", meaning 'protection' or 'protection hill'. Others speculate that the name could also have derived from an occupational name, referring to those who lived close to a defensive structure or castle.

Regardless of its origin, Begalke is an uncommon last name, particularly outside of Germany. As such, it is difficult to get a clear picture of the Purposes and migratory patterns of the name's bearers today. However, it can be safely assumed that most, if not all individuals bearing the Begalke surname today, trace their ancestry back to Germany.

Variations of the surname Begalke

Begalke is a surname that originates from Eastern Europe. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can be found in countries such as Germany, Hungary, and Poland. The most common spelling is Begalke, but the variants include Begalke, Begelke, Begalka, Begelka, Begalki, Begelki, Begaly, Begalli, Begallu, Begellu, and Begel.

In Germany, the Begalke surname is most commonly found in the forms Begalke, Begelke, and Begellu, although all of the variants listed above are also present.

In Hungary, the variants of Begalke often take the form of Begalka and Begelka.

In Poland, the Begalke family name is most commonly found in the forms Begaly, Begalli and, Begellu.

Variants of Begalke can also be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In these countries, the Begalke surname is sometimes spelled Begalle, Begalk, Beegall, and Begell.

Different variants of Begalke can be found in other countries as well, such as Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, where the most common surname variants are Begalke, Begalka, Begelka, and Begellu.

The common surnames of the same origin include Bagulke, Begallo, Begolka, and Begolli. These surnames can be found in countries such as France, Italy, and Spain.

Overall, Begalke is an Eastern European surname with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, which can be found in different countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Begalke

• Emmy Begalke: German musician and artist who is part of the duo ‘Ohrbooten’.
• Dave Begalke: American professional poker player and commentator.
• Amy Begalke: Actress and writer best known for her roles in ‘Tropic Heat’ and ‘A Room with a View’.
• Peter Begalke: German composer and orchestrator who wrote the score for the animated film ‘Laputa: Castle in the Sky’.
• Christoph Begalke: German pianist and composer who has released several albums and performed recitals across Europe.
• Ric Begalke: Award-winning American character actor, best known for his role in ‘The Simpsons’.
• Greg Begalke: American television producer and director who has won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work on ‘The Big Bang Theory’.
• Ellen Begalke: German-Canadian film director and screenwriter, best known for her feature film ‘Whiteout’ starring Julianne Moore.
• Udo Begalke: German businessman and investment manager, best known for his work in the private equity sector.
• Michael Begalke: American author and entrepreneur who has written several books on business and marketing.

Other surnames

BegaleBegall