Surname Hoffer - Meaning and Origin
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Hoffer: What does the surname Hoffer mean?
The last name Hoffer is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “hofer,” which means “farmer” or “landowner.” This name likely refers to someone who worked in a particular capacity in farming or related activities such as milling and baking. The spelling of this name has varied over time, and alternate spellings include Hoffer, Hoffher, Huffer, and Hufner.
The Hoffer surname is thought to have primarily been associated with the central and western regions of Germany, including the modern-day states of Bavaria, Hesse, and Baden-Wurttemberg. It is possible the name also spread to elsewhere in Europe over time. Some members of the Hoffer family may have come to the United States with German immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The name Hoffer is not particularly common and is found in fewer than 100 households in the United States today. The name is especially rare in other countries. People with the last name of Hoffer may be interested in exploring their family heritage in an effort to learn more about their family’s origin and history.
Order DNA origin analysisHoffer: Where does the name Hoffer come from?
The last name Hoffer is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the 2020 United States Census, there are more than 2,800 individuals with the last name Hoffer, mainly located in the northern states of the country. The largest population of Hoffers can be found in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio, with Pennsylvania having the highest concentration of Hoffers.
The majority of Hoffers living in the United States are of German and Jewish origins, although there is also a presence of Irish, English, and Dutch Hoffers as well. It is likely that the name originates from German last names such as Hoffmann or Hofmann, which are themselves derived from a shortened form of "hof," meaning "court" in German.
The last name Hoffer can also be found in other countries, although not as prevalently. Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and South Africa all have a small population of Hoffers. Given the small size of these populations, it is assumed that the name has likely only appeared in these countries as a result of immigration.
Overall, the last name Hoffer is most common in the United States today, where its origins can be found in the northern states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.
Variations of the surname Hoffer
The surname Hoffer is a German surname that is quite common in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other European countries. It is also spelled in a variety of ways, including Hofferth, Huffert, Hoffarth, and Hofferty. The surname is believed to have originated from the Middle German word Hofer, which means landowner, steward, or peasant.
The variants of Hoffer that are most common in Germany and Austria are Hufer, Huffer, Voer, and Vorpahlen. In Switzerland, variants such as Heuberger, Hufer, and Huefer are commonly used. In the Netherlands, surnames like Hoffers and Hoffmeijer are also seen.
In America and England, the surname is often spelled ‘Hoffer’ and most often found as an Americanized spelling of Hufer and Huffer. It can also be found as a variant form of Hubert with Huffert, or as a short form of the HOFFERTH surname, which is a combination of HOFFER and THURMAYER.
In some cases, the surname Hoffer may be derived from a Jewish Ashkenazi name, Hefner. This surname is generally a topographic name that describes someone who lived in a heathland, or “Heide”, which is an old German term.
Overall, the surname Hoffer has a large variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. This variety has been created by its presence in many different countries and regions, each with its own language and cultural influences. The most common forms of the name are Hoffer, Hufer, Huffer, Hefner, and Huffert.
Famous people with the name Hoffer
- Karl Hoffer: Karl Hoffer is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter with several platinum records. He has worked in the industry for decades and has collaborated with many of the biggest names in pop and rock music.
- Alex Hoffer: Alex Hoffer is an American actor, best known for his role as the dreamy and stoic kind of guy in the movies She’s All That and Grudge Match. He has also been a part of the casts of several television series.
- Jan Hoffer: Jan Hoffer is a filmmaker and documentarian. He is best known for his documentary films about human rights abusers, such as in prisons and sweatshops, and the struggles of the underprivileged and persecuted.
- Zeke Hoffer: Zeke Hoffer is a part of the alternative band Sea Soleil. The five-piece band has been performing since 1996, and have released several albums.
- Ze'ev Hoffer: Ze'ev Hoffer is an Israeli-born American microbiologist and bacteriologist. He is a co-Gram Stain discoverer, and works on identifying new species of bacteria.
- Steven Hoffer: Steven Hoffer is an established American artist, specializing in painting. His distinct semi-abstract style has been featured in galleries around the world.
- William Hoffer: William Hoffer is an American historian, specializing in the study of 19th century American history and politics. He is a professor at Columbia University and has authored several books on the subject.
- Laura Hoffer: Laura Hoffer is a German singer-songwriter, most known for the melodic, sweet and melancholic folk-pop style of her music.
- James Hoffer: James Hoffer is a journalist and an anchor at New York’s News 12. He has appeared as a guest on several news talk shows and is a regular contributor to The Daily News.
- Daniel Hoffer: Daniel Hoffer is an Australian painter, considered one of the foremost exponents of abstract expressionism. His bright, colorful and expressive work is highly collected and his pieces have been shown in galleries around the world.