Surname Imhofer - Meaning and Origin

Imhofer: What does the surname Imhofer mean?

The last name Imhofer is an occupational surname, a type of surname that identifies a person's job or trade. The name is derived from the German words "immer" which means "always" and "hofer," which is an occupational term describing a steward, manager, or overseer of a household. The Imhofer family likely started out as stewards of peasants who were living in parts of Germany such as the areas of modern-day Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, or Thuringen in the Middle Ages. Over the years, the surname may have evolved into its present form or other spellings such as "Emhofer," "Inhofer," or "Immhofer."

Since the Imhofers had solid middle-class backgrounds, many had the opportunity to pursue their dreams, and some may have gone on to become successful businesspeople or members of the nobility. Those bearing the last name could have eventually found their way into prominent local positions such as mayors or important trade guild leaders, or may have become members of the literati or the university.

Today, Imhofer continues to be a common surname in Germany. It is a reminder of the hardworking people who came before, who made their own success through their determination and dedication to the crafts they practiced.

Imhofer: Where does the name Imhofer come from?

The last name Imhofer is most commonly found in Germany. It is the 27,000th most common surname in Germany, making it a relatively rare surname. It can be found in several German states, such as Bavaria, Hessen, Koln, and Baden-Wurttemberg. Additionally, the Imhofer name is also found in Austria, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

The Imhofer name is derived from the Middle High German word "imbuhher", which means "servant to a master". This is an occupational surname, which is to say that it is a name taken from a person's line of work. It suggests that the original bearer of the name was a servant to a noble lord in the Middle Ages.

The Imhofer name is still in use today in many parts of the world, though it is not especially common in any one area. It likely has its most concentrated presence in the German-speaking areas of Europe, though there are some Imhofers living in North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand, as well.

Overall, the Imhofer name is considered an uncommon name. It is found in several countries, but it is most common in Germany. It has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, when it identified servants of the nobility. The name is still in use today, but it is not especially common in any one area.

Variations of the surname Imhofer

The surname Imhofer originates from German, deriving from the Middle High German term Immehof, meaning “Home of the Imme”. This suggests that the original bearer of this surname was a person with the personal name of Imme or some other form of this name, such as Amee or Emme.

The variants of this surname are Imhoof, Imhoff, Imhof, Imhofer and Imbofer. Spellings will differ between countries as they use different phonetic systems. Imhoff, for example, may be substituted for Imhofer in Germany, with Imhof and Imbofer also used in some regions.

Surnames originating from the same root will have the same meaning, although the spelling may vary between countries. Names derived from Imhofer include Emmehof, Emmhof and Imhofen.

The English versions of Imhofer are Emmerhoff, Imhoff, Imhof, Immerhoff and even Himbrecht. Imhoff is the most common English variant of this German surname, and may have been slightly altered by immigration officials.

Imhofer has been found in a number of different countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the United States.

The Imhofer surname has been present in the United States since the 1800s, suggesting the origin and spread of the surname. Despite the number of different variants of Imhofer, it is likely that the family line in the US can be traced back to one original source.

Famous people with the name Imhofer

• Mounir Imhofer: Swiss freestyle skier who represented Switzerland in the 2014 Winter Olympics
• Martin Imhofer: Filipino-German actor, best known for appearances in films such as "Always Be My Maybe" and "All Of You"
• Sabina Imhofer: Swiss World and European champion flatwater canoeist
• Dean Imhofer: Retired American soccer player, general manager, and coach
• Lawrence Imhofer: Retired American soccer player
• Bernhard Imhofer: Former German sprint canoer
• Marie Imhofer: Swiss singer-songwriter and record producer
• Amelie Imhofer: Swiss figure skater
• Elisabeth Imhofer: Former Swiss snowboarder
• Kathrin Imhofer: German biathlete

Other surnames

ImhofImhoff