Surname Höfels - Meaning and Origin
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Höfels: What does the surname Höfels mean?
The surname Höfels is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Middle High German word 'hove', which means “court”, “estate” or “manor”. It likely originated as an occupational surname for someone employed by a nobleman and would have been attached to those working at the court or manor.
The first name of a person with this surname is most likely to be 'Havel', which is related to the Middle High German word used to form the surname. It is associated with a particular region in Germany located on the banks of the River Havel - focusing mainly on the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg.
The family name Höfel is secondarily derived from the word 'hovel', a Germanic term that simply means “dwelling”. It is believed to have been in use in Germany since Medieval times and has remained in common use in many German-speaking countries ever since. The existence of the surname in Germany has been documented since the late 12th century, and it is likely that the first individuals bearing the name were connected to the court or noble estate of a local lord.
Since the emergence of this name, many variants have been recorded, including Hoffele, Hoffeles, Hofels, Hoefel, Hovell and Howle among others. While the name may not have been quite as popular as some other Germanic surnames, it does remain in use in many countries around the world today, indicating that it has been passed from generation to generation over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisHöfels: Where does the name Höfels come from?
Today, the last name Höfels is primarily common in Germany, Scandinavia and other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland. It is estimated that the last name is shared by over 2 million people throughout Europe.
The origin of the name Höfels is associated with Germanic noble families. It derives from the Middle High German word vövel—meaning steward or officer—and is thought to have been given as a professional title to individuals managing royal households and estates.
The Höfels family crest features three birds, which symbolizes loyalty. As the name spread throughout Europe, it was often simplified or changed to conform to the various dialects. Some common variations today include Hoeffel, Hoffel, Hofel and Hoefeld.
The name Höfels can be found in various parts of the continent today, with the highest concentrations in the Germanic countries of Central Europe. Despite its Germanic origin, there are numerous bearers of the last name living outside of Europe, with some of the larger concentrations being in America, Australia, and parts of Asia.
Variations of the surname Höfels
The surname Höfels can have many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Commonly used variants include: Hofels, Hoefels, Hoffels and Hoffles.
Höfels is derived from the Middle High German word ‘hôf,’ meaning ‘court,’ or ‘yard’ which references an ancestor’s residence near a court or court yard. In some cases, the surname may indicate ancestral occupational reference and describe an ancestor who held a position within a court.
A variant of the name Höfels is Hoffels, which is a variation of the surname ‘Hofel’, meaning ‘the dweller at the court’. This could be an occupational name for an ancestor who had a profession within the court, such as a cook or blacksmith. This variant is commonly found in many countries, including Germany, Austria, Czech and Slovakia.
The spelling ‘Hoefels’ may also be used as a variant of the surname Höfels. This is more often found in the Netherlands and suggests the same origin and meaning as the aforementioned variants.
The surname ‘Hoffles’ may also be a variant of the surname Höfels. This spelling is more common in Germany and suggests a slightly different meaning than the other variants. Hoffles is derived from the word ‘hoffen’, which translates to ‘to hope’. This variant can refer to an ancestor who hoped to be accepted by a court or to gain renown by working for a court.
In conclusion, the surname Höfels has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The variants include: Hofels, Hoefels, Hoffels and Hoffles, all of which have different meanings and origins.
Famous people with the name Höfels
- Christiane Höfels: Actress in German television and theater known for playing Sibylle in Die Schöne und das Biest (Beauty and the Beast) and Königin Luise von Prussia.
- Nicolas Höfels: A German actor known for his roles in films like Der Kinderwunsch (The Kid Wish), The Colditz Story, and Der Heiratsguru (The Marriage Guru).
- Robin Höfels: A German actor best known for his roles in movies like Faust and The Last Act.
- Rainer Höfels: A German actor and director known for his roles in films like Mein Vater, der Dichter (My Father, the Poet) and Das Amulett (The Amulet).
- Christoph Höfels: A German film editor best known for his work on movies like Unter dem Milchwald (Under the Milky Way) and Oskar und die Dame in Rosa (Oskar and the Lady in Pink).
- Kerstin Höfels: A German actress and singer known for her roles in films like Ihr dunkles Geheimnis (Their Dark Secret) and Der Feuerteufel (The Fire Devil).
- Johannes Höfels: A German author and director best known for his television movie Das weiße Kaninchen (The White Rabbit).
- Adolf Höfels: A German sculptor and illustrator best known for his bronze sculptures of animals like foxes, cats, and bears.
- Angela Höfels: German reality star and former professional figure skater who competed in the 2008 Winter Olympics.
- Axel Höfels: A German journalist and historian known for his works on World War II and Cold War history.