Surname Funk - Meaning and Origin

A Journey to My Roots: Uncovering the Hidden Histories of the Funks with iGENEA

Discovering one’s roots and identity can be transformative. As I embarked on this journey with iGENEA, it unveiled unexpected aspects of my lineage - the Funks. This newfound knowledge has enriched my understanding of myself, giving a fresh perspective to my identity and roots.

Z. Funk

Funk: What does the surname Funk mean?

The last name Funk is of German origin and it is derived from the Middle High German word "funke" or "funcho" which means "spark". This was often used as a nickname for a blacksmith or someone who was lively and cheerful. Over time, the nickname became a surname. The Funk family was amongst the many German families that emigrated to America in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly in Pennsylvania. It's important to note that the interpretation of surnames is influenced by the culture and language of the region. As such, the name may have different interpretations in other cultures or languages. Furthermore, in modern English language, the word 'funk' has also taken on a genre of music, characterized by a mixture of soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues. However, this meaning is unrelated to the surname.

Funk: Where does the name Funk come from?

The surname Funk is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "funke" or "funken", which means "spark". This surname was likely a metonymic occupational name for a blacksmith or someone who works with fire. Alternatively, it may have also been used as a nickname for a person who was fiery or lively.

Today, the surname Funk is most common in the United States, specifically in the state of Pennsylvania. It also has a significant prevalence in Germany and Canada. Many of the Funks in America are descendants of German immigrants who migrated during the 18th and 19th centuries. The name is also found in those places where German speaking peoples have migrated, like parts of Brazil and Argentina. However, the exact distribution can have a wide range due to the common nature of the name among different German-speaking communities around the world.

Variations of the surname Funk

The surname Funk is believed to have originated from Germany and the Germanic cultural areas. It may have derived from the Middle High German "funke" or "funcko," meaning spark, referring to a person who is lively or cheerful. It might have also been a metonymic occupational name for a blacksmith or fireworker.

Common variants of the surname Funk include Funck, Funcke, Funch, and Funcken. It is also seen in compound German surnames such as Funkhouser, which means "spark house," perhaps referring to a fire station or smithy.

In earlier centuries, when literacy was less universal, names were often written down by clerks based on their phonetics, leading to a multitude of spelling variations. Therefore, other historical spellings for this surname may include Funke, Funkes, Funcken, Ffunk, Ffunke, Ffunkes, and Ffuncken among others.

Moreover, it is important to note that Funk, depending on the region, also became Americanized into different forms like Fink or van Funk in societies with Dutch settlers.

When researching family histories, all these spelling variations should be considered to provide a more comprehensive genealogical picture.

Famous people with the name Funk

• Terry Funk: A retired professional wrestler and actor, known for his work in World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation.
• Dory Funk Jr.: Also a retired professional wrestler and the brother of Terry Funk.
• Walter Funk: A German economist and politician, who served as Reich Minister for Economic Affairs in Nazi Germany.
• Cory Funk: A professional scooter rider who has won several world titles with his brother Capron Funk.
• Capron Funk: Brother of Cory Funk, Capron is a professional scooter rider too, and a Youtuber.
• Ben Funk: A photojournalist who has been honored by the News Photographers Association of Canada.
• Casimir Funk: A Polish biochemist who is often attributed as the scientist who formulated the concept of vitamins.
• Liz Funk: An American author, known for her book "Supergirls Speak Out".
• Nils Fonk: A German filmmaker, additional famous personalities with the last name "Fonk", a variant of "Funk", are Jerome Fonk, a senior judge in the Superior Courts of North Carolina.
• Marc Funk: The former CEO of Lonza, a Swiss multinational chemicals and biotechnology company.
• Dave Funk: An American politician from Iowa.
• Stephanie Funk: An acclaimed photographer and designer.

Other surnames

FuncciusFunckFunckeFunckenFundellerFundhellerFundilerFundillerFundylerFünffingerFünffrockFünfgeldFünfgelderFünfgeltFünfhausFünfhausenFunfrockFünfrockFünfschillingFungkFunkeFunkelFünkelFünkeleFunkenFunkhouserFunkl