Branke

Branke is a surname of German origin that is found primarily in German-speaking countries and among diaspora communities in North America and Australia. The name is thought to derive from a shortened form of the given name Bernard or from a descriptive nickname related to the Old High German words for “bran” or “starch,” possibly indicating a miller's occupation. Alternative etymological theories suggest a locational origin, referring to a settlement named Branke or a topographic feature in German or Slavic regions.

The surname is relatively uncommon, ranking outside the top 10,000 names in Germany and the United States. In modern times, bearers of the name are most frequently located in the southwestern federal states of Germany, the state of Bavaria, and in regions of Eastern Germany that were part of the former German Democratic Republic. In the United States, populations of the name are found predominantly in the Midwest.

Notable individuals with the surname Branke include the German fine‑art photographer Julian Branke, known for his landscape series of the Bavarian Alps, and the Australian physician Dr. Lisa Branke, who has contributed to public health research on chronic disease prevention. In sports, German handball player Tobias Branke competed for the national team during the early 2000s.

Today the Branke name continues to appear in genealogical records, scholarly publications, and occasionally in contemporary media, preserving its cultural heritage across continents.