Surname Höfner - Meaning and Origin
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Höfner: What does the surname Höfner mean?
The last name Höfner is derived from Middle High German and means 'farmer' or, more accurately, 'person with a farm or related to farming.' It is an occupational name, usually indicating a rural and agricultural family background. It is believed to have originated in the former Holy Roman Empire (which encompassed a large part of Central Europe), and the name is most commonly found in Germany today.
The roots of this surname can be traced back to the early Middle Ages in Europe and it was initially associated with the nobility’s function as landowners and stewards of their own land. In the ancient Germanic system of land-ownership, the Hoefner class of people had land rights that coincided with farming and, as a result, the surname took on the meaning of 'farmer'. The title and surname evolved and spread across other countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary--all of which were part of the former Holy Roman Empire.
During the Industrial Revolution, the majority of people with this surname shifted to the emerging urban areas. They often found jobs in various types of skilled labor or served in the military. A relatively small number of Höfners today still continue to farm, but the majority of people with this surname no longer have any direct connection to agriculture. However, the value of traditional farming practices is still held in high regard by many with this surname in modern-day Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisHöfner: Where does the name Höfner come from?
The last name Höfner is most commonly found in Germany. It is one of the most popular surnames in the country, with over 19,000 people bearing the name. It is particularly popular in two states: Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Bavaria, Höfner is the 11th most common name, and in North Rhine-Westphalia it stands at 13th.
The most common form of the name originates from Württemberg, where it was first used by a family of farmers. The spelling variants can indicate regional or religious background, and variations include Hofner, Hofer, Hefner, Hafner, Heftner, Hofmeister and Hofmayer.
The surname has a strong presence in other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland, as well as in various parts of Europe. In recent years, people with the last name Höfner or one of its variations, have been found in other countries such as North America, Australia and New Zealand.
This can be attributed to the fact that many people with the surname have opted to emigrate due to the economic and political problems in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th century as well as in recent years. The number of people with the name Höfner and its variations around the world today is likely in the tens of thousands.
Variations of the surname Höfner
The surname Höfner is a German surname derived from the word for a innkeeper or tavern-keeper. It is a patronymic name, derived from the German “höfen” meaning “tavern.” The surname also appears in other countries, including Austria and the Czech Republic.
Variants and spellings associated with the surname Höfner include Hofner, Hoefner, Hoffener, Hoffner, Höffener, and Höffner. Other spellings are Hofener, Hoefener, Hopfner, Hoppener, and Hoeffner.
Surnames of the same origin include Hofbauer, Hofegger, Hoffman, Hofineck, Hofinger, and Hofinger. These surnames are also derived from the same German word for innkeeper.
Some of the possible variations for the surname Höfner in other languages include Hofener in Dutch, Hufner in German, Kofner in Hungarian, Hofnerow in Polish, and Kofena in Ukraine.
The surname is also found in many other countries, such as France, England, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. In England, the name may have been derived from the Old English word “heahfner,” meaning a lord or official who lived in a hall or tavern.
The frequency of the surname Höfner can differ in various areas. In some areas the name can be quite common, while in other areas it may be quite rare. It is also relatively common in Austria, Germany, and parts of the Czech Republic.
Famous people with the name Höfner
- Pasqual Höfner: German conductor of symphony orchestras, and professor of conducting in the Musikhochschule Frankfurt/Oder.
- Paul Höfner: a German tennis player who is best known for his semifinal appearance at the 1951 Wimbledon Championships.
- Christian Höfner: Swiss professional poker player from Zurich, Switzerland.
- Franz Höfner: Former West German political leader who was mayor of Cologne from 1983 until 1989.
- Jürgen Höfner: German professional ice hockey player who plays for Adler Mannheim in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
- Richard Höfner: German college professor, economist, and politician who served as Member of the Landtag of Bavaria from 2002 to 2008.
- Robert Höfner: German conductor, composer, and music educator who worked as principal conductor of the NDR Sinfonieorchester in Hamburg.
- Alexander Höfner: Austrian mountaineer who completed a solo climb up the north face of the Matterhorn in Chamonix, France, in 1947.
- Emil Höfner: German politician and Mayor of Koblenz in the 1930s.
- Georg and Ludwig Höfner: two German violin and guitar makers based in Schönbach, Germany (now Luby, Czech Republic), who started manufacturing their guitars in the early 1800s.