Surname Höfele - Meaning and Origin
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Höfele: What does the surname Höfele mean?
The last name Höfele is a German surname that shares a common root with several other German surnames, such as Hoefler, Hoefner, and Höfner. The literal meaning of the word Höfele is derived from the High German root word “hof,” which can be loosely translated as “estate” or “estate holder.” This usually indicates that the earliest known ancestors of the family once held an estate of some sort, suggesting a certain level of social standing.
Given that the original meaning of the name is derived from a certain amount of wealth or status, the name is believed to have likely started off as a personal name or nickname for an aristocratic figure. Over the centuries, this surname more than likely spread widely throughout the German-speaking parts of Europe as the descendants of the aristocrat moved and married into other families.
Although most German surnames have an occupational, physical, or descriptive origin, few of them appear to have been derived from an original personal name or nickname. With that in mind, the origins of the name Höfele are likely unique within the German language, making it a unique name with a particularly interesting history.
Order DNA origin analysisHöfele: Where does the name Höfele come from?
The last name Höfele is of German origin and is most commonly found in Germany today. It is also found in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe, as well as in South America. In Germany, the last name is most commonly found in the Bavarian and Baden-Württemberg regions, as well as in some areas of Thuringia and Saxony. According to the GenTeam genealogy site, Höfele is considered a "low-frequency" name, meaning it is not especially common.
In the United States, Höfele is an uncommon last name and primarily found among those with German ancestry. Höfele is most commonly found in Pennsylvania and the Midwest, where German immigrants settled in the mid- to late-19th century. The 2010 US Census recorded 862 people with the last name Höfele, primarily concentrated in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states. The majority of people with the name are concentrated in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Minnesota.
In Canada, as of 2016, Höfele is found in various provinces, though concentrated mainly in Ontario. According to Statistics Canada, the last name is most commonly found in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, and also in cities such as Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.
In terms of international origin, the last name Höfele is closely related to the name Höfel, as well as various spellings such as Hofel and Hoffel. All of these names are derived from the German word “Hof”, meaning “manor” or “estate”.
Variations of the surname Höfele
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Höfele are Höfel, Höffele, Höfeli, Höffeler, Höfl, Höffler, Hoefler, Hoefle, Hoefeli, Hoefeler, Hoefl, Hoefler, Hoffele, Hoffeler, Hoffl, Hoffler, Hofeli, Hofeler, Hofle, and Hoffler.
Höfele is a surname of German origin derived from the Middle High German words "hôvel" or "hövel" which means "corner". It coincides with the Italian, Catalan and Sardinian surname Hofel, which is derived from the German word "hof" meaning "courtyard". This surname is recorded in the German records from the 16th century. It was initially used as a nickname for someone who lived in or near a corner of a building, or a person who had a sharp mind.
The variants and other spellings of Höfele are associated with several German regions such as Baden, Bavaria, Frankfurt, Swabia, Westhausen, Wiesbaden, and Wurttemberg. The surname Höfel is also used extensively in Austria and Switzerland. In the United States, variants of the surname Höfele are most common in Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio and New York, as well as Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, California, and Wisconsin.
The surnames and variants of Höfele are used in a variety of contexts such as naming businesses, sports teams, and other organizations, and is also commonly found in popular books and movies.
Famous people with the name Höfele
- Richard Höfele: a German writer and intellectual
- Kai Höfele: a German footballer
- Maike Höfele: a German contemporary artist
- Oskar Höfeler: a German professional cyclist
- Peter Höfelfinger: a German football goalkeeper
- Reinhold Höfeler: a Swiss footballer
- Ludwig Höfel: a German playwright
- Manfred Höfel: a German politician
- Lavinia Höfler: an Austrian diver
- Nico Höfel: a German DJ, producer, and musician