Surname Höfflinger - Meaning and Origin

Höfflinger: What does the surname Höfflinger mean?

The last name Höfflinger is a German surname that is derived from the Middle High German word “hôffling,” which was used to refer to someone of high social status. This indicates that the original bearers of the name were people of noble or distinguished background.

The first elements of the surname are “Höff” and “linger.” “Höff” is derived from the Middle High German term “hôf,” which means “court,” while “linger” suggests occupation or profession. Put together, this indicates that the original bearers of the surname were likely people who worked in a court, held a position in the court, or provided services to the court in some way. It is possible that they were even members of the court nobility.

The Höfflinger surname is relatively common in Germany, but is also found in Austria and other areas of Central Europe. It is rarer in the rest of the world, though a few prominent people have made it famous. For example, the renowned German opera composer Heinrich Höfflinger (1820–1889) wrote the popular operetta “Der Zigeunerbaron” in the 19th century.

Overall, the surname Höfflinger originates from a time when the social order was very rigidly defined. Its meaning indicates the presence of people of noble and distinguished background among its original bearers. Interestingly, it also speaks to the vocation of its original bearers, who were likely associated with the court in some way.

Höfflinger: Where does the name Höfflinger come from?

The last name Höfflinger is most commonly found in Germany today. It is actually quite a rare surname, and it is estimated to be shared by only about 3,000 people living in the country. According to a study of surname distribution by the country's Statistical Office, it is mainly concentrated in the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Lower Saxony.

Outside of Germany, the surname is also found in large numbers in Austria where it is estimated that the name is shared by about 6,000 people. The name is also quite common in the United States, where it is estimated to be shared by over 4,000 families. Other countries where the name is found in large numbers include South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Canada, Australia, and Israel.

In all of these countries, the name is generally believed to be of German origin and is thought to have been derived from the original German spelling of the family name – Hoflingen. Additionally, the name is thought to mean “at the foot of the hill” in German, and is believed to have been given to families who lived at the base of a hill.

As a result, it is fairly likely that those today who share the name Höfflinger are likely descended from German families who likely lived on the same hill centuries ago.

Variations of the surname Höfflinger

The surname Höfflinger is a German surname and it is an occupational name for a person who is in charge of a court of justice. It is typically found in southern regions of Germany, especially Baden-Württemberg. The variations and spellings of the surname 'Höfflinger' include; Hofflinger, Hofflinger, Hofflinger, Hoffman, Hoffmann, Hofeling, Hoeflinger, Höfelinger, Hoffelinger, Hoefferman, Hofferman, Hooffling, and Huphalang.

Surnames that have a similar origin to the surname Höfflinger include; Hofmeister, Reifflinger, Fleckinger, and Adelnauer. Hofmeister is another German occupational surname for a master of a court or mansion; Reifflinger is a German locational surname, derived from towns named Reifflingen; Fleckinger is a variation of the surname Fleckinger, which is derived from the Middle High German word 'flecken' meaning 'village'; and Adelnauer is a variant of the surname Adelnauer, which is derived from a German toponym 'Adelnau.'

The surname Höfflinger has been positively documented in numerous records and migration of this family has led to the presence of this name in various countries throughout the world, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, England, and Australia.

Famous people with the name Höfflinger

• Philipp Hofflinger, Swiss professional footballer
• Alexander Hofflinger, German footballer
• Emil Hofflinger, Austrian tennis player
• Hans Hofflinger, Austrian painter
• Wolfgang Hofflinger, Austrian painter
• Helmut Hofflinger, Austrian operatic bass-baritone
• Tobias Höfflinger, German politician
• Siem Hofflinger, Dutch composer
• Jan Hofflinger, Czech painter
• Annette Hofflinger, German actress

Other surnames

Höffling