Surname Rocke - Meaning and Origin
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Rocke: What does the surname Rocke mean?
The surname Rocke is of English origin and is derived from an Old English pre 7th Century word "rocc", or the Old French "rocque", both meaning "rock". This surname was initially used to refer to people who lived by a notable crag or outcrop, or near a rocky landscape. It is a locational or topographic surname, popularly given to people for identification based on their residence or a geographical feature nearby. Alternatively, people with this surname could have lived in any of several places named with this word, such as Roche in Cornwall, or Rock in Northumberland, Worcestershire, or Devon. Due to its locational nature, the surname may vary in prevalence across regions. Variants of the surname include Rock, Roch, Roche, and Rocks. Over time, this surname has been spread across English-speaking countries, often modified in spelling with emigration and colloquial pronunciation. As with any surname, individual families with the last name Rocke may have separate histories and origins.
Order DNA origin analysisRocke: Where does the name Rocke come from?
The surname Rocke is an English and Germanic name, which is derived from the Middle English word for ‘rock’ or ‘stone’. The family name can be found in various parts of the world today, particularly in Northern Europe, the United States, Canada, Jordan, and Australia.
In England, the name is most common in the cities of London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds. In Germany, it is found in the Bremen City area, and in states such as Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria.
In the United States, there is a greater concentration of those with the name Rocke in the New England region, with a large population in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut. The name is also scattered throughout the rest of the country and features strongly in Texas, California, Illinois, Michigan, and Virginia.
Canada is also a popular destination for Rocke with large numbers in cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Calgary. Additionally, there is a large presence in Jordan, and the surname is also common in Australia, with particularly high numbers in the cities of Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth.
Overall, the name Rocke is a widespread one, including strong concentrations in both Northern Europe and the United States. Canada, Jordan, and Australia all have significant populations of people with the Rocke surname.
Variations of the surname Rocke
A variant spelling of Rocke is Rock. The two surnames are pronounced the same, but spelled differently. Though both surnames may share a common origin, Rocke has emerged as a distinct surname in Europe, while Rock is more commonly found in the United States.
In some records, the Rocke surname is spelled as Raycke in Germany. It is believed to be derived from the Germanic name "Rico" or "Ricke," meaning "ruler." Also, the surname Roke is derived from "Rice," a popular nickname in medieval England.
Rocke is the most common spelling of the surname, but other common spellings have emerged over time including Roke, Rocks, Rockes, Roack, Roch, Roecke, Rise, Riche, Roeck, and Roock. In the United States, Rock is the preferred spelling of this name.
In addition to the various Rocke and Rock spellings, there are other surnames with similar origins or derived from the same root words. Some of these surnames include Reichel, Reichert, Reisch, Ryckman, Rieck, Rigg, Riess, and Rickman.
Overall, Rocke is the original surname spelling established centuries ago in Germany, but several other derivatives have emerged over time. Spelling variations are expected with surnames due to frequent translations, dialects, and personal preference.
Famous people with the name Rocke
- Jack Rocke, actor
- Richard Rocke, filmmaker
- Cecily Rocke, model
- Anthony Rocke, composer
- Virginia Rocke, businesswoman
- Lorraine Rocke, singer
- Stuart Rocke, chef
- Joe Rocke, scientist
- Darcy Rocke, journalist
- Adam Rocke, former U.S. senator
- Carlos Rocke, literary agent
- Bill Rocke, entrepreneur
- Elizabeth Rocke, philanthropist
- Ben Rocke, researcher
- Brad Rocke, Olympic rower