boeke

Boeke is a surname of Dutch origin and, in Afrikaans, the word boeke means books. As a common noun in Afrikaans, boeke is the plural of boek, and in that language it is widely used in everyday vocabulary. In Dutch, the standard plural for boek is boeken; boeke can appear in historical texts or as part of proper names, but is not used in contemporary standard Dutch to mean books.

As a surname, Boeke is found among families of Dutch descent and in Afrikaans-speaking communities in South Africa and other parts of the world. The name may have arisen from an occupational byname related to books or bookbinding, or from patronymic or toponymic practices common in Dutch-speaking regions. Genealogical records show scattered occurrences from the early modern period onward.

Notable individuals bearing the surname are recorded in public life across several fields, including academia, the arts, and public service, though Boeke remains relatively uncommon.

In addition to its use as a surname, the term appears in bibliographic or linguistic discussions where it is sometimes encountered as a regional or ceremonial form rather than standard contemporary usage.

See also: Boek, Boeken.