Surname Willekes - Meaning and Origin
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Willekes: What does the surname Willekes mean?
The last name Willekes is an uncommon, Dutch patronymic surname derived from the personal name Willeke. Willeke itself is derived from the Germanic name Willihelm or William. Variations of the last name Willekes include Willekens, Willeks, Willeksen, and Willekses.
The original bearer of the name Willekes was likely a descendant of someone living in an area that spoke the Dutch language, which included parts of Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands. Its use as a last name dates back to at least the 16th century.
Throughout history, the last name Willekes have been given to people in recognition of their strength and courage. The name is also thought to suggest a sense of loyalty and determination, qualities which would have been essential to survival in the tumultuous society of the past.
In current times, the last name Willekes is associated with people living in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, and parts of the United States and Canada. Although quite rare, the last name has seen a small amount of growth in recent years due to immigration from Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisWillekes: Where does the name Willekes come from?
The last name Willekes is most commonly found in the Netherlands, the country of its origin. First appearing around the 17th century, the Dutch name is derived from Willeke, a diminutive form of the given name Willem. Willem is a Germanic name meaning "will helmet" and is also the source of William and Wilhelm.
Willekes is especially common in the province of South Holland, centered around the cities of The Hague and Rotterdam. It can also be found northern provinces of Noord-Holland, Overijssel, and Friesland. Around the world, Willekes is mainly found in Dutch immigrant communities in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The name Willekes is not exclusive to the Netherlands since Dutch immigrants moved around the world, and today the name can be found in various countries. For example, in the US, the name is associated with the Dutch Mennonites who moved to Pennsylvania in the 17th century, as well as the migrants from the Netherlands who moved to the Rust Belt in the early- to mid-1900s. In Canada, Willekes is associated with those who migrated there in the mid-1800s.
The name Willekes is borne by many Dutch families who remain close to the Netherlands, as well as many descendants who have moved around the world and carved out new identities for themselves in places far from their homeland.
Variations of the surname Willekes
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Willekes are Wilkes, Willcocks, Wilcocks, Wilcox, Wilcoxen, Wilcoxon, Wilcoxson, Willcox, Willcoxen, Wilkenson, Wilkerson, Wilkins, Wilkinson, Willkinson, Wilcken, Wilcke, Wilkens, Wilker, Willken, Willkers, Willk kin, Willecocks, Willekens, Willecker, Willeckson, Willecken, Willsacks, Willseks, Willsekkson, Willservs, Willsevs, Willserv, Wilcsen, Wilce, Wilcek, Willcke, Wilceki, Wilseen, Wilsek, Wilsekki, Willceki, Willcken, Wilcekki, Willseke, Wilcken and Wilcsen.
The Willekes surname is of English and German origin. The origin of English Willekes surname is derived from the Old English term "wilcwif," meaning a willing female; or "wilec," meaning a willing servant. The German variant is derived from the personal name Wilcke. This is derived from the German word "wald," meaning forest, and "cuno," meaning brave or bold.
Willekes surname can be found in many parts of the world today, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. The Willekes surname is also common in Europe and other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Willekes
- Kenny Willekes: an American football player for the Minnesota Vikings
- Tracy Willekes: a professional bodybuilder
- Eben Willekes: a former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Erwin Willekes: a Dutch author, columnist and radio and television personality
- Erna Willekes: a Dutch actress
- Willem Willekes: a Dutch field hockey player
- Dave Willekes: a former drummer for the rock band Europe
- Maria Willekes: a former Dutch competitive ice skater
- Ruth Willekes: an American artist
- Mart Willekes: a Dutch strongman competitor