Hanke or Hancke is a surname of Germanic or Scandinavian origin. It is most common in Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, but now widely found in the United States, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Hanke is also a male first name in Germany. People Christopher J. Hanke (b. 1976) actor Edith Hancke German stage, film and television actress (1928–2015) Gregor Maria Franz Hanke (b. 1954), German Roman catholic bishop Henriette Hanke née Arndt (1785–1862), German writer Hugon Hanke (1904–1964), former Polish politician (1751–1806), Bohemian humanist, writer in Czech and German Karl Hanke (1903–1945), Nazi Party official Karol Hanke (1903–1964), former Polish football player. Lewis Hanke (1905–1993), American historian and professor, father of Latin American Studies Mike Hanke (b. 1983), German football player Reginald Hanke (b. 1956), German politician Sonya Hanke (1933–1983), Australian classical pianist Stephan Hanke (b. 1972), German soccer player Steve H. Hanke, economist Thaddäus Haenke (1761–1816), explorer Brendan Hanke actor See also Handke Henke Germanic-language surnames Surnames from given names