Surname Hohlfeld - Meaning and Origin
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Hohlfeld: What does the surname Hohlfeld mean?
The last name Hohlfeld is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word helfelt, which means “hollow field”.
The literal meaning suggests that this surname may have originally referred to someone with a hollow or uncultivated field. This makes sense, given that much of Germany is known to be land of vast open fields. It could also be possible that Hohlfeld evolved from the term Holzfeld, which means “woodland”, as many German families lived in small villages or in the countryside surrounded by woodlands in medieval times.
It is also believed that the Hohlfeld family were part of an elite group of German knights who were rewarded (and sometimes granted with) land in the Middle Ages by kings and princes. In other words, the name Hohlfeld may very well have been used by a family of landed gentry.
Today, the last name Hohlfeld is particularly popular in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It continues to be an important part of the German culture and heritage and serves as a reminder of the struggles and achievements of its ancestral families throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisHohlfeld: Where does the name Hohlfeld come from?
The last name Hohlfeld is common throughout Germany, Austria and the United States. It is common throughout the German-speaking world, particularly in the states of Hessen and Bavaria in Germany and the Austria-Hungarian Empire. In the United States, Hohlfeld is most common in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and North Carolina. It is also found in other states like New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
The name Hohlfeld first appeared in Germany in the late 1600s. It is derived from the German words hohl (hollow or depressed) and feld (field). This name was likely given to someone who owned or lived on a piece of land that was slightly depressed compared to the surrounding area. Over the years, the name has adopted various spelling variations, including Hofeld, Höhlfeld, Hölheld, Hoheld, and Holefeld.
Today, the last name Hohlfeld remains common throughout Germany and Austria. In the United States, it is typically found among those with German ancestry, particularly in the states listed above. As individuals with this last name have emigrated from Europe, the last name has spread to other countries and continents as well.
Variations of the surname Hohlfeld
The surname Hohlfeld is of German origin and can be written in various forms such as Hohlfeldt, Holfeld, or Hollfeldt. It is prevalent in Germany, where it is most commonly spelled as Hohlfeld. The meaning of the name is derived from the elements "holt" meaning wood and "feldt" meaning open land.
The variants of the surname are usually derived from different German dialects. For instance, Hohlfeld's spelling in the dialect of the Rhineland-Palatinate region is "Hohlfeldt", while in East Frisia it is spelled "Holfeld". In Northern Germany, the spelling of the surname often changes to "Hollfeldt".
In Germany, historical records indicate that the first recorded bearer of the surname was Nikolaus Hohlfeld in the parish of St. Alexander in Altenkirchen in 1575. The surname has also been identified in documents from 1639 in Buchholz, near Dusseldorf, where the family of Adam Hohlfeld lived.
As the surname evolved over time, a number of other variant spellings came into being, such as Hohlfelder, Holfelder, or Holfelders. There are also numerous derivative surnames that can be traced back to the original Hohlfeld, such as Hohlfelderling or Holfelderling.
The surname Hohlfeld is still present in many parts of Germany to this day, though it can also be found in countries all over the world, such as the United States, Canada, and South Africa.
Famous people with the name Hohlfeld
- Bill Hohlfeld: American comedian, podcaster, and radio producer.
- Johann Hohlfeld: German botanist and zoologist of the 19th century and an honored professor at the University of Dorpat.
- Timo Hohlfeld: German professional football player who has played for teams like SV Sandhausen, VfL Osnabrück and 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
- Paul Hohlfeld: German actor and music producer
- Sarah Hohlfeld: German professional basketball player who plays for the German national team and the Turkish team Galatasaray.
- Konrad Hohlfeld: German architect of the 19th century best known for the Cathedral of Königshofen.
- Richard Hohlfeld: American bassoonist, conductor, composer, and professor of music at the University of Michigan.
- August Wilhelm Hohlfeld: German entomologist and zoologist of the 19th century and the author of several books on insects and zoology.
- Chris Hohlfeld: American professional ice hockey coach from Minnesota
- Joe Hohlfeld: American former professional basketball player who played for teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and Orlando Magic.