Surname Monk - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Roots of Monk Surname Through the Lens of an iGENEA DNA Test

Being a custodian of the Monk surname, I was intrigued to delve deeper into its roots and origin. What better way than to carry out a DNA test with iGENEA, granting me a thorough overview of my genetic lineage. The results were fascinating, showcasing the complexity of the Monk lineage and its deep European roots. The accurate results facilitated by advanced DNA analysis, provided me a newfound perspective on the deep-rooted history of my surname.

T. Monk

Monk: What does the surname Monk mean?

The surname Monk originates from Old English "munuc," derived from the Latin "monachus," meaning a monk. Initially, it was given as a hypocoristic nickname to a person who was considered to behave like a monk, or metaphorically for a person who was sincere, modest, or neat. It might also have been given to an actor who frequently played the part of a monk in mystery plays. In some cases, it was applied to people who chose to live a secluded life like a monk for religious reasons. Like other occupational names, some bearers of the surname may have been associated with a monastery without being a monk, such as being a servant or tenant of a monastery. So, the surname Monk reflects either a direct or indirect connection to religious asceticism.

Monk: Where does the name Monk come from?

The last name Monk is most commonly found in England and Wales, where it is the 1,336th most common name. In the United States, the name Monk is more rare, ranking only as the 4,007th most common last name. The name can also be found in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and other countries of British heritage.

The origin of the name Monk is thought to be Anglo-Saxon in origin and derived from the word “monce”, which means “monk”. Back in the day, it was common for people to take on the last name of their occupation or area of origin. As such, the nom de famille Monk was likely derived from a person who was a monk, or maybe lived near a monastery.

Today, most people who have the last name Monk are likely descended from the same family – as surnames were not passed on from generation to generation in the same way as today until the written record began about 500 years ago. So if you have a family tree stretching back several generations, there’s a chance you bear the name Monk.

Notable people with the last name Monk include British composer Thelonious Monk, American jazz musician Les Paul, and Dave Monk, the drummer for progressive British rock band FM.

Variations of the surname Monk

Monk is an English surname of Germanic/Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English word 'munuc' which means "solitaire". Variants of the surname include Monke, Munke, Monck, Munck, Monks, Monksman, Monkman, Monckman, Munks, Mincks, Monks, Muncke, Munckemann, Moncke, Moncon and Monnik. The name has appeared in various spellings and forms over the ages.

The surname Monk is most common in the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is also found in various European countries such as Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands.

In the United States, the variant Monk can also be found spelled as Monke, Mank, Mankes, Munke, Manke, Monckmman, Muncke, Monckman, Monks, Monksman, Monkemann, Monckmann, Munks or Monque.

In Germany, the surname Monk is spelled as Munck, Muncke, Monck, Moncke, Minck, Monnik, Monque, Monn, Munce and Moneke.

In Spain, the surname is spelled Manque, Moncke, Monque, Monke, Muncke, Monckmann, Moncon, Munks and Manke.

In Portugal, the surname is spelled as Moncon, Monque, Monckman, Monks, Monksman, Monkemann and Mincks.

In France, the surname is spelled as Moncke, Monque, Monque, Monke, Mènk, Monce and Moncks.

In Italy, the surname is found spelled as Menk, Mannk, Monks, Monksman, Moncke, Mecke, Monni and Monce.

Famous people with the name Monk

• Thelonious Monk: Jazz pianist, composer, and jazz innovator.
• Karlheinz Monk: German jazz saxophonist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist.
• T. S. Monk: American jazz drummer, producer, and composer and son of Thelonious Monk.
• Ashley Monk: British jazz and funk trombonist, composer, and musical director.
• Thelma Monk: American jazz vocalist, drummer, and musician.
• Peggy Monk: American singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter.
• Alan Monk: American actor, singer, voice actor, and comedian.
• Sheila Monk: British jazz and soul singer, songwriter, and pianist.
• Nellie Monk: American jazz pianist, singer, and songwriter.
• Abbot David K. Monk: American private religious scholar and author.
• Patrick Monk: British filmmaker, poet, and visual artist.
• Bob Monk: English photographer known for his vivid and textured black-and-white photographs.
• Gary Monk: English footballer and former manager.
• Gareth Monk: Welsh footballer and coach.
• Matt Monk: American singer-songwriter and guitarist.
• Andy Monk: British jazz violinist, composer, and producer.
• Matilda Monk: Canadian actor, filmmaker, and producer.
• Sir Robert Hamilton Monk: Canadian army General and businessman.
• John Monk Saunders: American film director, screenwriter, and novelist.
• Jeanine Monk: French violinist, conductor, and composer.

Other surnames

MonachMonachockMonaganMonaghanMonahanMonasterskiMönchMöncherMönchmeierMönchmeyerMonckMönckeMönckemeierMönckemeyerMönckmeierMönckmeyerMöncksMondevielMondorfMondsternMondszternMoneghanMonessenMonetteMonewegMoneyMonforMonfortMonganMongialo