Surname Höfke - Meaning and Origin
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Höfke: What does the surname Höfke mean?
The last name Höfke has its roots in Germany and is derived from the Old German language, “hof,” meaning “court” or “enclosed land” and “ke,” meaning “small.” Collectively, this establishes the Höfke surname as having a meaning of “small court.”
This surname originated in North Germany, near the border to Denmark. In the Middle Ages, many settlements were surrounded by forests where noblemen built hunting lodges, often referred to as “Höfken.” As farming and villages grew around these lodges, it is thought that this is where the Höfke family name was derived.
The surname is commonly found in both Germany and the United States today, with the largest concentration of Höfkes living in the United States located in Ohio and Iowa.
The Höfke name is often associated with a sense of responsibility as well as an unyielding commitment to their work and family. It is a close-knit clan, and the Höfkes have been historically known for their strong ties to each other, and their commitment to helping others. In particular, Höfke families have often acted as helpful neighbors, lending a helping hand whenever one was needed.
The Höfke surname has endured for generations, and members of the Höfke family continue to carry on its commitment of hard work, generosity and kindness for subsequent generations.
Order DNA origin analysisHöfke: Where does the name Höfke come from?
The last name Höfke is most likely to be found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. It is most common in Germany, particularly in the west of the country, in regions such as Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hessen. It is also found in Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and Hamburg, as well as in Bavaria in the south.
The Höfke surname dates back as far as the early medieval period when it was used as a byname to describe someone who lived in or near a small outlying farm. The traditional spelling of the surname is Höfke, but variations such as Hoffke, Hofke, Höfkes and Hoefke are also found.
It is possible to trace Höfke family trees through the records of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the LDS Church. LDS Church genealogical records can provide information about the family's origins in Germany and how the Höfkes spread throughout Europe.
Although the surname is still mainly found in German-speaking countries, it is possible to find people named Höfke in other parts of the world too- for example in the United States. One famous Höfke is the neurologist Dr. Karl-Heinz Höfke who emigrated to Berkeley, California in the 1950s.
Variations of the surname Höfke
The surname Höfke is a German surname. Possible variants include Hofke, Hoefke, Hoefkes, Höffke, Hoffke, Hoffman, and Hoffmann. Variations of the spelling of the name include Hofke, Houfke, Hoefke, Hoefkes, Hoefeke, Hoffke, Hofkern, Hofferke, Hofferkorn, Hofferke, Höffker, Hofcker, Hofckerke, Hoffer, Hoffering, Hoferking, Hofferkamp, Hofferkom, Hofferking, Hafke, Haffke, Haufke, Hovke, Haufs, Haffs, Hasw, and Hasse.
Surnames of the same origin as the surname Höfke can include Hoftman, Hafke, Hafermann, Hoffmeier, and Hoffner. The name "Hof" within the surname Höfke could also be seen as referring to the German words for "garden," or "court," indicating a person who was associated with a court or garden at some point in their ancestry or occupation.
The surname is found in German records from as early as the 15th century. It is believed to be derived from the pre-7th century German, "Hoff," meaning "enclosed area," or from the Old High German, "hof," meaning "court," which found its way into Olde Saxon and Middle High German, with the same meaning of a court. It may have also been derived from the Old German name "Hofman" which comes from the word "Hofemeister," meaning "custodian of a court."
The surname Höfke is also found in other countries including the United States, Canada, Austria, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
Famous people with the name Höfke
- Irma Müller-Höfke (1878-1962): German philosopher, educationalist and sociologist.
- Bernhard Höfke (1875-1961): German entomologist and zoologist.
- Georg Höfke (1745-1802): German composer and organist.
- Gertrud Höfke (1899-1957): German sculptor and graphic artist.
- Martin Höfke (born 1966): German politician, member of the German Social Democratic Party.
- Jürgen Höfke (born 1952): German businessman and former member of the German Bundestag.
- Heinz Höfke (1926-2010): German-Swedish boxer who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.
- Karl-Heinz Höfke (born 1941): German classical and film composer.
- Joachim Höfke (born 1952): German politician and former state minister of Culture of Saxony-Anhalt.
- Herta Höfke (1935–1999): German actress and theater director.