Surname Grashofer - Meaning and Origin

Grashofer: What does the surname Grashofer mean?

The last name Grashofer is a Germanic surname that has a number of possible origins. One possible source is from the word “Gras” meaning “grass”. This could be a reference to a family of people who were either landowners with large tracts of grassland or perhaps they were the resident farmers in a village who were responsible for its upkeep and production of hay and other grass-based products. Alternatively, the name could be derived from the Germanic personal name Grasho, derived from the word “gras” meaning “daring” or “bold”. This would imply that the original bearer of this surname was known as a person of courage and strength of character. Lastly, the name could be derived from the word “Graf” meaning “count” or “county” which suggests that the original bearer of this name might have been someone of noble or high status.

Regardless of its ultimate origin, the surname Grashofer is one that has stood the test of time and has been carried down through generations of families in Germany, Austria, and elsewhere across the Germanic-speaking world. Each bearer of this name has their own unique story, but collectively the Grashofer name serves as a reminder of the deep roots of Germanic culture and language, and the many contributions that generations of its people have made to the world.

Grashofer: Where does the name Grashofer come from?

The last name Grashofer is most commonly found in Germany today, where it has been recorded since the mid-18th century. Records of the family name can be found throughout Germany, specifically in the regions of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse in the south, and Schleswig-Holstein in the north. Outside of Germany, Grashofer is also a common family name in Austria, particularly in Tirol and Vorarlberg near the Swiss border.

Grashofer variations such as Graschofer, Graeschofer, and Graeshofer can also be found in Switzerland, though they are much rarer. The Switzerland variation of the family name is most commonly found in Zürich and the cantons of Bern, Lucerne, and Uri.

In the United States, the Grashofer family name is found in much smaller numbers. Records of the family name can be traced to arrivals in New York and Pennsylvania during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, there are a larger number of Grashofers in the Midwestern US, with a sizeable cluster in Michigan.

Overall, the last name Grashofer is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today, with smaller populations appearing in Switzerland and the United States.

Variations of the surname Grashofer

The surname Grashofer dates back to the late 16th century, when it first appeared in Bavarian church records. Since then, it has evolved over time, taking on various spellings and different surnames depending on the language, geographical area, and even specific family line.

The most common variant of the surname Grashofer is the German Graßhoffer. In addition, members of this family may use the similar sounding Graßhofer, Grashofer, Grasshoffer, and Grasshofer. Another variation, “Graßhöfer” is used throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and is also found in the Czech Republic.

In the United States, the spelling may vary across different regions, boasting the usage of Grashoffer, Grashoff, Grashof, Grasshof, and Grasshoff. Other variants found in the United States include Grasshofer, Grushoff, and Grucaff.

In France, the name is also found in the form Graschoffer, Grasshopper, and Grasshofe. In the United Kingdom, Grashof, Grashoff and Grushoff are all used as surnames.

Outside of Europe, the surname has many other variants and spellings. For example, in Israel the surname is written as גרסהפר (Grashefer) or גרושוף (Grushoff). In addition, in Latin America the surname is seen most commonly in the form Grashoff, Gorushoff, and Grosasof.

Overall, the Grashofer surname is found in many different countries and has seen many changes in spelling and pronunciations over the years. Although each variant of the surname has its own unique origin, all of the surnames are ultimately derived from the original form and can be traced back to the Bavarian church records of the 16th century.

Famous people with the name Grashofer

• Lou Grashofer (1904–1994), American screenwriter.
• Herbert K. Grashofer (1915–2007), American politician.
• Richard Grashofer (1917–2005), German aeronautical engineer.
• Evan Grashofer (1919–2005), American author.
• Valentin Grashofer (1923–1996), Swiss cross-country skier. 6.kBrona Grashofer, American multimedia artist.
• Thomas Grashofer (born 1962), Austrian rower.
• Matthias Grashofer (born 1967), German footballer.
• Christian Grashofer (born 1970), Austrian ski jumper.
• Manfred Grashofer (born 1972), Austrian curler.

Other surnames

GrashofGrashoff