Surname Luke - Meaning and Origin
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U. Luke
read moreLuke: What does the surname Luke mean?
The last name Luke is believed to have both English and Greek origins. In its English context, it was often derived from the first name Luke, which is a shortened form of Lucas. Lucas is a derivative of Latin origin meaning 'illumination' or 'light giving'. The English surname Luke could have also come into existence as a result of a local nickname for someone who lived near a particular place or monument, though such specific origins are more obscure.
Meanwhile, the Greek origin sees this name drawing from its biblical roots, where Luke was one of the Four Evangelists and the author of the third Gospel in the New Testament. Here, the name Luke is understood to have been derived from the Greek name Loukas, meaning 'from Lucania', which is a region in Southern Italy. Whether from its English or Greek roots, the surname Luke, therefore, carries connotations of light and illumination.
Order DNA origin analysisLuke: Where does the name Luke come from?
The surname Luke is of English origin, derived from the Latin name 'Lucas', or 'Luke' in English. This name was popular as a personal name during the Middle Ages due to Saint Luke the Evangelist. It is also thought to be a locational surname for individuals from places named "Leck" or "Luck" in Germany or Netherlands. The alternative English spelling ‘Luck’ is of Anglo-Saxon origin, from the Old English personal name 'Lucca' with the addition of the suffix '-s', meaning 'son of Lucca'.
Today, the name Luke is fairly common in Anglophone countries, especially in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. In the U.S, it is estimated around 20,000 people bear the Luke surname. In England, it is most prevalent in the Southeast and Southwest regions, while in Australia, it is frequent in South Australia. It is also fairly common in Canada and South Africa. Despite its Germanic roots, the surname Luke is not as prevalent in Germany or the Netherlands today.
Variations of the surname Luke
The surname Luke can have different variations and spellings, that are likely to have similar origins, typically from English or Hebrew origin. These alternative spellings include Lukes, Luks, Luk, Lukis, Luck, Lucks and Luker.
The surname also has some interesting etymological connections. If it is of English origin, it may be related to the Old English given name "Luka", while if it originates from the Greek name "Loukas", it can be connected to the biblical name "Lucas" or "Lucius". As a surname, these names might be spelled variously as Lucas, Lucius, Luce or Lucke.
There are also Scottish and Irish surname variants such as McLucas, McLuckie, MacLucas, or MacLuka, where the 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefix means 'son of'.
Continental European versions of the surname have also affected its spelling in some instances. The name is spelled as Luka in several Slavic languages, while in Italian and Spanish, it's often spelled Luca.
In German speaking regions, the name might be spelled Lux or Luchs. The French versions include Luc and Lucas. Please note some of these variations may have separate ancestry and not be directly related to the English surname "Luke".
Famous people with the name Luke
- Mark Hamill: American actor, director, producer, and writer, best known for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise.
- Luke Bryan: American country music singer and songwriter.
- Luke Perry: American actor, best known for his portrayal of Dylan McKay on the 90s television series, Beverly Hills–90210.
- Luke Campbell: British professional boxer who held WBC and WBA lightweight titles from 2015 to 2019.
- Luke Fitzgerald: Irish rugby union player who played as a back three player.
- Luke Hodge: Australian footballer who serves as a coach for the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League.
- Luke Evans: Welsh actor, best known for his portrayal of the characters Bard in The Hobbit trilogy and the title character in Dracula Untold.
- Luke Kuechly: American football player who played as an even defender.
- Luke Wilson: American actor and producer, best known for his roles in films such as Old School, Legally Blonde, and The Royal Tenenbaums.
- Luke Combs: American singer and songwriter, best known for his debut album This One's for You.