Junker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
Germany

Etymology of Junker

What does the name Junker mean?

The distinguished German surname Junker is derived from the Middle High German word "juncherre," meaning "a young noble, not yet knighted." This term was often applied to a young man serving at court who would soon be knighted, and it is likely that the term evolved from nickname to surname, and was then passed down along a family line.

Early Origins of the Junker family

The surname Junker was first found in various regions of Germany, and several branches emerged independently during the Middle Ages. The earliest recorded bearer of the name was Burchardt Junker, listed in the Furstenbergisches Urkundenbuch in 1295. The young Junker family was instrumental during this early period, playing an important role in the development of medieval society.

Early History of the Junker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Junker research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1295, 1373 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Junker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Junker Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Junker, Junkher, Juncker, Junkers, Junckherre and others.

Early Notables of the Junker family

More information is included under the topic Early Junker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Junker Ranking

In the United States, the name Junker is the 11,684^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Junker migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Junker Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Soph Junker, aged 60, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Oder" in 1795 2

Junker Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Anna Junker, aged 21, settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Macedonia" in 1833 2
John Junker, aged 25, French settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Fran Depau" in 1836 2
Madelene Junker, aged 13, French settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Fran Depau" in 1836 2
Thrusa Junker, aged 19, French settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Fran Depau" in 1836 2
Christ Junker, aged 27, French settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Fran Depau" in 1836 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Junker migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Junker Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Miss L. Junker, British settler who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Esperance Bay" in 1924 3
Miss M. Junker, British settler who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Esperance Bay" in 1924 3
Mr. J. Junker, British settler who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Orvieto" in 1926 3
Mr. L. Junker, British settler who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Orvieto" in 1926 3
Mrs. R. Junker, British settler who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Orvieto" in 1926 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Junker (post 1700) +

Steven Norbert Junker (b. 1935), American NFL football tight end for the Detroit Lions (1957, 1959â€“1960) and the Washington Redskins (1961â€“1962)
Howard Junker, American writer and the author of An Old Junker
Willis E. Junker, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Iowa 6th District, 1978 4
J. E. Junker, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1964 4
Erwin Junker (1930-2024), German manufacturer who was the owner and founder of the Junker Group
Hugo Junker (1859-1935), innovative German engineer
Hermann Junker (1877-1962), well-known Egyptologist
Heinrich Junker (b. 1911), German (Bavarian) politician
Albert Junker (b. 1908), German professor of Roman philosophy
Steve Junker (b. 1972), Canadian ice hockey player
... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
National Archives of Australia retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 28) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html