Surname Uphof - Meaning and Origin

Uphof: What does the surname Uphof mean?

The German surname Uphof originates from the word "Opf" meaning "altar". This is likely a reference to a location where a theological or religious offering was made. The name has been present in Germany since at least the 1500s, when it first appeared in records.

The Uphof family generally had a high social standing in society throughout its history and its members were often well-educated, successful, and held influential positions. They had a wide-ranging presence in various regions of Germany, from Mannheim to Leipzig.

Some of the most well-known Uphofs in history include Johann Carl Uphof, an 18th century German lawyer, as well as Carl Gorman Uphof, a 20th century medical doctor.

The Uphof family has continued to remain a presence up to the present day, with both their surname and legacy still living on in various parts of Germany.

Uphof: Where does the name Uphof come from?

The last name Uphof is most commonly found today in the Netherlands and Germany, although it is a fairly rare surname in both countries. It is assumed the name Uphof originally comes from Germany, where it was primarily found amongst the higher class of society in the 1700s. The name is likely derived from the German phrase ‘uphof’ which means "upper court" or "upper yard" and was the location of the aristocratic families who used it as a surname.

In the Netherlands, the name Uphof has long been found, mostly in the north and east regions, and it is most likely a Dutch variant of the German name. The most famous Dutch person with the last name Uphof is Wim Uphof, who was a prominent lawyer and professor of the 19th century.

The surname Uphof can still occasionally be found in Germany and the Netherlands today, although it is a rare name in comparison to many of the more common surname patterns found in both countries. With the expansion of the internet and genealogy searches, the Uphof surname is likely to spread a bit more within the next few decades.

Variations of the surname Uphof

The surname Uphof is an occupational surname derived from the Dutch "oude hoef" which translates to "old hoof" and likely referred to someone who occupied a forge involving horseshoes. This name is found in both the Netherlands and Germany, as well as in other countries with Dutch connections.

Variants of the surname Uphof include Uphoff, Uphoffe, Upphof, Upphoff, and Oppenhoef. The Dutch spelling of this surname is likely "Upphoff".

Frequently, surnames have multiple variants or spellings owing to the variation in spelling that was common before the standardization of spelling conventions. In addition, different surnames of the same origin can sometimes take different spellings. Therefore, other variations of this surname may include Uffoff, Offoff, Offohof, and Offhöf.

Additionally, a number of entirely separate surnames may have derived from the same origin as Uphof. Such names include Hopf, Hoppen, Hofschneider, Heuffer, Heufner, Hopfer, Hopp, and Hopman.

Generally speaking, any surname ending with -hof, -hoff, -höf, or -hoef are most likely derivatives of the name Uphof. Therefore, many more surnames exist that are related to the Uphof family.

Given the significant diaspora of the Dutch and German peoples, the surnames Uphof, Uphoff, Upphof, Upphoff, Oppenhoef, Uffoff, Offoff, Offohof, Offhöf, Hopf, Hoppen, Hofschneider, Heuffer, Heufner, Hopfer, Hopp, and Hopman are now found all over the world.

Famous people with the name Uphof

• Lasse Uphof: World record-holder in indoor high jump
• Gerrit Uphof: Dutch professor of mathematics
• Debora Uphoff: Runner and cyclist
• Armin Uphoff: German Olympic kayaker
• Jürgen Uphoff: German football manager
• Harry Uphoff: American professional golfer
• Jens Uphoff: German artist and sculptor
• Friedrich Uphoff: German Professor of Natural Science and Research
• Rudolf Uphoff: German lawyer and politician
• Joost Uphoff: Dutch politician and broadcaster

Other surnames

Uphoff