Surname Hoefling - Meaning and Origin

Hoefling: What does the surname Hoefling mean?

The last name Hoefling is one of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German huob, meaning "head" and flihen, meaning "to flee". This suggests the name was originally given to someone who showed great courage and strength when fleeing a dangerous situation.

The Hoefling family is thought to have belonged to the nobility, first being recorded in 1218 in Hanover. Beyond this original record, the Hoefling family has spread throughout the world, but is still very much concentrated in Germany, where it is among the top 1000 most common surnames.

Hoefling is a traditional German name that embodies courage and strength. It represents the idea of being able to confront a difficult situation and draw on courage and strength to survive it. Through generations, Hoefling has been passed down through families and values those qualities in each generation.

Hoefling: Where does the name Hoefling come from?

The last name Hoefling is primarily associated with Germany, where it is the 15,212th most common surname according to a 2015 population census. It is most commonly found in Southern Germany, notably in the Bavarian region. The origin of the name is unclear, though it may have roots in the Middle High German meaning “home belonging”.

It is thought that the Hoefling name spread with German immigrants to other parts of Europe and the world throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the Hoefling name is found mostly in Germany, the United States, and the UK. In the US in particular, it crops up in the midwest, with the most densities found in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and Ohio.

Having said that, the records for Hoefling may actually cover several different spellings. Varying versions like Höfling, Hofling, Hoffling, and Hafling may have the same root, which might have been changed depending on which country the family were in. As such, it’s worth researching any of these if the name Hoefling doesn’t crop up during searches.

Variations of the surname Hoefling

Hoefling is an uncommon German surname. It is derived from the Middle High German word "höfling", which literally translates to "court attendant". Depending on the region, this surname can have various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Below is a non-exhaustive list of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Hoefling:

Variants:

- Hoefelin

- Hoeflin

- Hoefelein

- Hoepfling

- Hoeflinge

Spellings:

- Hoefeling

- Hoffling

- Hoeflingg

Surnames of the Same Origin:

- Hofelinger

- Hofeling

- Hofelingen

- Hofelinge

- Hofelingg

- Höffling

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Hoefling can also be found in other countries and regions with populations of German descent, such as the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

Hoefling is a rare surname, so it is important to conduct research when attempting to trace one's family genealogy. By understanding the various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin, genealogists may find more ancestors and family members than expected.

Famous people with the name Hoefling

• Karl Hoefling, American professional basketball player
• Amanda Hoefling, American jazz musician, singer, songwriter, and producer
• Freya Hoefling, Scandinavian artist
• Erich Hoefling, German military officer during World War II
• Oscar Hoefling, Austrian Nazi politician
• Mo Hoefling, American politician
• Gordon Hoefling, American politician and lawyer
• George Hoefling, American dentist and politician
• Robert Hoefling, American sculptor
• George Leonard Hoefling, American minister, politician, and philanthropist

Other surnames

HoefliHoeflichHoeflinger