Surname von Hofe - Meaning and Origin
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von Hofe: What does the surname von Hofe mean?
The last name von Hofe is a German patronymic surname, deriving from the word "Hof", which translates to court, estate, or farm. A von Hofe family was one that owned such a piece of property or estate. Depending on the region, the family could have been descended from a noble line or just an upper class land owning family. The “von” included in the name is a marker of nobility, indicating that the family had higher social standing in the Middle Ages.
Today the name von Hofe is not as commonly found it once was. However, it is still used in Germany as a distinct family name. Many people may find that they share the last name von Hofe, in such cases they would be distantly related.
When the surname von Hofe is encountered in a family Tree, it is generally indicative of having aristocratic roots. In addition, there is evidence suggesting some branches of this name have connections to royalty. Throughout history, members of the von Hofe family have made their mark in science, law, and even the military.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Hofe: Where does the name von Hofe come from?
The last name von Hofe is thought to be of German origin, first appearing in documents in the late medieval period. It is commonly seen today in southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands, as well as in countries that were part of the German Empire, such as Poland and the Baltic states.
The von Hofe surname is not a particularly widespread one today, but there are pockets of people who are still carrying on the name worldwide. In Germany, there are many families that still bear the last name and can trace their ancestry back to the original medieval von Hofes. In the United States, descendants of German settlers are also likely to be found, though naturally they are more concentrated in certain states, such as Pennsylvania and Texas.
Some von Hofe families have also migrated to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, along with other parts of the world, due to the vast migrations of Europeans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In Canada, the surname is predominant in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, which have large German-Canadian populations.
Despite the fact that the von Hofe surname is not as widespread today as it once was, the name remains a strong symbol of German heritage and culture, and many people are proud to carry on the name.
Variations of the surname von Hofe
The surname von Hofe is a German or Dutch name deriving from the word 'hof' which means court, farm, or garden. Variations on the spelling of this surname include Van Hof, Van Hoff, Vanoff, Vonhof, Vonhon, Vonhoff, and Vonhoffe.
Surnames derived from the same origin as von Hofe typically contain the same prefix, with two distinctive families of origin. The first consists of those derived from the Westphalia city of Hofe and the surrounding area, such as Hoef, Hoefer, and Hofman. The second consists of those derived from the region of Northern Germany, such as Hertle, Hartel, Hartig, and Hartungen.
Van Hof is a common variation of this surname, which is found mainly in the Netherlands. This spelling is often used as a form of anglicisation to simplify pronunciation. Vonhof is a variation typically found in the Rhineland region of Germany, including the cities of Bonn and Cologne. Similarly, Vonhon is a variation typically found in the Ruhr region in Westphalia.
The vonhoff spelling is found in Germany and Austria, while the spellings Vonhoff and Vonhofe are more typically found in the Netherlands. This surname is also found in countries such as the United States and Canada, due to German emigration to the region. Some variations of this surname have also been found in the British Isles, suggesting a possible historic connection between the regions though this has yet to be thoroughly researched.
Variations on the spelling of this surname suggest that the original spelling was likely Hofe or Hof, and that upon entering other countries, the variations in spelling evolved over time to be reflective of local pronunciation.
Famous people with the name von Hofe
- Wolfgang Von Hoffe: German actor, director, and producer known for his roles in films such as Vier Fäuste gegen Rio and Die Abenteuer des Werner Holt.
- Donnie Von Hoffe: German-born American actor who is best known for his role as Günther in the 2009 film Dorian Gray.
- Jakob von Hoffe: German actor who appeared in television series such as Ku'damm 56 and Inga Lindström.
- Heinz von Hoffe: Swiss-German actor who made his mark with roles in films such as Der Rote Baron and Der Albaner.
- Reinhard von Hoffe: German actor who made several appearances in television and films such as Die unendliche Geschichte and Callgirl.
- Annemarie von Hoffe: German actress who starred in films such as Trümmerland and Limelight.
- Jeannette von Hofe: American actress based in Los Angeles who is known for her roles in films such as The Vampire Diaries and Chernobyl Diaries.
- Brigitte von Hoffe: German-born American actress who appeared in films such as The Man from Acapulco and Jarhead.
- Axel von Hoffe: German actor who starred in films such as Der greise Kopf and Kletteratelier.
- Ludwig von Hoffe: German actor who is known for roles in television series such as Fürsten der Finsternis and Der Untergang der Titanic.