Surname Dörffer - Meaning and Origin

Dörffer: What does the surname Dörffer mean?

The last name Dörffer is of German origin. It is derived from the old Germanic personal names “Dörfen” or “Dörffel”, which mean ‘village’ or ‘town’. The name was very common during the Middle Ages, so much so that it became quite an honor for individuals to be bestowed such a surname.

The spelling of the name can vary, since it was derived from dialects of Middle High German and migrating dialects of this language in the 17th to 19th centuries. In some cases, Dörffer may be spelled as Dörfler or Dörfel.

The Dörffer family is usually found in the German states of Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Additional evidence of the surname being common in this region is an old church register in which the name can be traced back to 1750.

The meaning of the name is one of belonging to a certain “place” or “home”. It also connotes a sense of community, familiarity, and vicinity to one's home town. In the case of a family descended from the Dörffer surname, it could be an indication of a new beginning and a search for a better life elsewhere.

In conclusion, the surname Dörffer has a long history in Germany and carries a lot of meaning and significance. It is an indication of a close-knit community, belonging to a certain place or home, and starting a new life elsewhere.

Dörffer: Where does the name Dörffer come from?

The surname Dörffer is most commonly found within Germany, especially in the western regions of the country. It is also found in other German-speaking countries like Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking parts of Europe. Outside of Germany, the surname is rarely found.

First recorded in Flanders in the 12th century, the surname Dörffer became firmly established in Germany. It is believed to be a variant of the name 'Türffer', which was common during the Middle Ages. In German, 'Türffer' (or 'Dörffer') means 'dweller of a door-keeper's house'. Later life in the 17th and 18th centuries saw the family migrate to various parts of Germany, such as the Rhineland, Westphalia, Lower Saxony, East Prussia, and Silesia; these regions are still the main areas in which the surname is commonly found.

The highest density of Dörffer today remains in the German west, although the surname has since spread into neighboring German-speaking countries. It is also relatively common in parts of the U.S. like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where German immigrants settled in the 19th century.

Overall, the surname Dörffer is a rare one, and is mostly associated with Germany and German-speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Dörffer

The surname Dörffer is commonly found in Germany and is derived from the German word "dörfer" which means a village, hamlet or small settlement.

Variants of the surname Dörffer include Dörfer, Dörfers, Dörffer, Dörffers, Dörferrer, Dörfferchen, Dörferchen, and Dörffert.

The surnames Doerffer, Doerfert, Doyffer, and Dyeffer are all derived from the same origin as Dörffer. These spellings are not as common as the original German surname, but are used by descendants of those with the Dörffer surname who have since moved to other countries.

Other surnames with similar origins and spellings as Dörffer include the Dutch names Doffer, Dofers, Doffert, Doffers, Dofferrer, Doffercher, Doferchen, and Dofert. They are all derived from the Dutch word "doffen" which means "to smell".

There are also several surnames which have similar spelling and origins to Dörffer. Those include the German names Döring, Dörer, Dören, Dörmann, Dörenkom, Döringer, and Dörenheimer, as well as the English names Dorr, Durr, Dorfer, and Dorer.

The spelling of Dörffer is often confused with the spelling of the English language surnames Duffer, Duffield, Duffin, Dufour, and Duff. However, these names all have different origins and are unrelated to the Dörffer surname.

Famous people with the name Dörffer

• Heiko Dörffer: German footballer and manager
• Patrick Dörffer: French hairdresser and TV presenter
• Sigmar Dörffer: German-Swiss writer, director and producer
• Günter Dörffer: German neurologist
• Hermann Dörffer: German physicist and inventor
• Karl Dörffer: German literature professor
• Christian Dörffer: German filmmaker
• Christina Dörffer: German model
• Hans-Dieter Dörffer: German businessman and politician
• Johannes Dörffer: German painter and printmaker

Other surnames

Dörffel