Surname Höffmann - Meaning and Origin
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Understanding my Höffmann Lineage: A Tryst with History and Heritage Through iGENEA DNA Test
An enlightening journey via an iGENEA DNA test unraveled the history behind the surname Höffmann. The revelations carry us back to medieval times, illustrating ties to Central European agrarian landscapes, various local tribes, and even Viking lineage.
B. Höffmann
read moreHöffmann: What does the surname Höffmann mean?
Höffmann is a German surname, derived from the surname Hoffmann. It was also found in Austria and Switzerland and it is a variant spelling of Hoffman (which is an old spelling of the surname 'Hoffmann'). The origin of the name refers to a person who lived at a hof, indicating that the original bearer of the name was a steward of a church or a monastery.
The surname Höffmann is thought to have first appeared in the 1600s in Bavaria, Germany. In modern times, the name can be found all over Europe and in numerous countries that have significant German populations, such as the United States and many former regions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Most people with the last name Höffmann are of German descent. However, it is historically a name found among a variety of European Christian religious and ethnic groups, including French Huguenots, Mennonites, and Jews.
The name Höffmann is a relatively common name and in Germany, Höffmann is the 24th most popular name in the country. In the United States, it is the 2,987th most common name.
Overall, the last name Höffmann is an old German name that has been around for centuries. It is indirectly derived from the German term 'Hof', meaning a court or estate of a nobleman. Today, the surname is still widely spread and is associated with families of German descent.
Order DNA origin analysisHöffmann: Where does the name Höffmann come from?
The last name Höffmann is especially common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. It is believed to have originated in Germany in the medieval period, and the vast majority of its bearers today are descendants of families who lived in the country during this time.
In Germany, the name Höffmann is often found in the south-west and southwest, with concentrations especially in the regions of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. Today, the name is most commonly found in cities such as Munich, Bonn, Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin.
In neighbouring Austria, the name Höffmann is most commonly found in the states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, Upper Austria, and Lower Austria. In Switzerland, the name is most commonly found in the cantons of Basel and Zurich.
In terms of its international spread, the name Höffmann is now found in many countries, particularly in North America, Australia and other parts of Europe. In the United States, the name is found in several states, particularly in Pennsylvania and New York. In Canada, the name is especially common in Ontario and Alberta. Elsewhere in the world, the name is found in Ireland, Israel, South Africa and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Höffmann
The surname Höffmann is derived from the Middle High German term "hofmann", which is a combination of the words hof (court) and mann (man). As a result, the name Höffmann literally translates to "courtman". This surname appeared in many different spelling variants in Europe throughout the centuries, such as Hofmann, Hufmann, Huffman, Hoffman, Hoeffman, Höfmann, Hofman, and Hoeffmann. Because of its Germanic roots, the surname is especially common in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries.
The common surname variations have also appeared in other countries like the United States. The surname can be seen under variations such as Huffman, Hofman, Hoffmann, Hoffman, Hoeffman, Hufmann, and Hoefmann. During the years of mass immigration to the United States in the late1800s, the descendants of German immigrants who took on their family surnames in English-speaking countries anglicized the spelling to Hoffman, which is now a very common version of the name.
The surname also has many other variants, some of which include Hofmonger, Hoeffelmann, Hupe, Hoefle, and Huffle. Many of these older German spelling variants are still common throughout Germany and Austria today. Additionally, the surname is found in Poland (Hajfman, Hofman, Hoffmann) and the Czech and Slovak Republics (Hoffman).
Today, the surname Höffmann is the sixth most common surname in Germany and found in all other German-speaking countries. While many members of the Höffmann surname are scattered all over Europe and the United States, it’s still one of the most dominating surnames in Germany, Austria and other areas of Europe with German heritage.
Famous people with the name Höffmann
- Erich Höffmann, German painter
- Lothar Höffmann, German author
- Johann Höffmann, Swiss author and playwright
- Andreas Höffmann, German football player
- Stephan Höffmann, German politician
- Gilbert Höffmann, German composer
- Albrecht Höffmann, German zoologist
- Christine Höffmann-Axthelm, German TV presenter
- Ulrich Höffmann, German skier
- Peter Höffmann, German organist
- Uwe Höffmann, German former footballer
- Erika Höffmann, German former figure skater
- Hilde Höffmann, German pair skater
- Wilfried Höffmann, German footballer
- Hans-Peter Höffmann, German former footballer
- Christine Höffmann, Austrian equestrian