Surname Uphoff - Meaning and Origin

Uphoff: What does the surname Uphoff mean?

The last name Uphoff is an German and Dutch surname. It is believed the name originated in the Netherlands and was carried to Germany in the 16th or 17th centuries. The name Uphoff is derived from the Dutch word "op-hof" which literally translates to mean "on-court". This suggests the name came from those who lived or worked on the grounds of a noble's or lord's estate.

The Uphoff family name has been consistently present in Germany since at least the 17th century. Many Uphoff families have traced their lineage to areas like Hannover, where according to surviving records, they originated.

Today, the Uphoff surname can be found all over the world but is most common in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. In the United States, the Uphoff family settled primarily in Minnesota and Wisconsin and adopted various spelling variations of their original surname, such as Uffle, Upholt, Upho, Uphold and Uffelen.

The meaning behind the surname Uphoff is a tribute to the proud heritage behind it. To this day, Uphoffs are still using the same name that originated centuries ago, paying homage to the roots of their family and celebrating the accomplishments of their ancestors.

Uphoff: Where does the name Uphoff come from?

The last name Uphoff is most common in Germany today, where it remains one of the top 200 surnames. It also has some bearers in the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Poland, and Sweden.

The surname has its roots in the Low German language. The original spelling of the name was "Ophoff" or "Ophoven," and is derived from the Old German words "uf," meaning "above" or "over," and "hof," meaning "house." This indicates that the original bearer of the name was someone who lived above or on the grounds of a house, such as a forester, or perhaps a servant in charge of the estate of a larger house.

The first record of the Uphoff surname is in the city of Erddig in the Prussian province of Westphalia in the early 16th century. From there, the Uphoff family spread into many different areas of Germany. According to records, the family reached the city of Stolp (now Slupsk) on the Baltic Sea in the 17th century, which was a prosperous trading port and a common destination for families from Westphalia.

Today, the Uphoff surname has many branches and can be found in almost every region of Germany. Germany still remains the main hub of this surname and is likely the place of origin for most bearers of the name throughout Europe and North America. However, with the increasing global mobility of people in the 21st century, the Uphoff name is likely to be found outside of Germany in growing numbers.

Variations of the surname Uphoff

The Uphoff surname has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. A few of the most common variations are as follows: Uphof, UpHof, Upholz, Upholzer, Uppholtz, Uppholz, Upphoff, Upphopf, Upphoud, Uphoffe, Upfohle, Upfohlen, Hauff, Hoff, Hoof, Hohf, Hoef, and Höff.

Uphoff is a German name, originating from the personal name 'Huof', meaning 'Man of Spirit'. It is derived from the Old German compound elements 'hug', meaning 'heart, spirit, courage', and 'hupf', meaning 'serf, small farmer, peasant'. The Uphoff and its variants may have originally been used to denote a man of spirit who originated from a small farming community or of serf origin.

Variations of this surname can also be found in other German speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. In some regions of the United States, like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the surname was altered to Hoff or Hooff as the immigrants to the region Anglicized the spelling.

The variants of Uphoff can not only be found among German-speaking communities but also amongst communities in Ukraine, Canada and countries of Scandinavia. The name can sometimes take on different spelling conventions depending on the language the name is being transcribed in. For example, in Russian, Uphoff may be rendered as Уфф.

It is likely that as you research via genealogical sources, that you will find Uphoff to be a relatively uncommon surname. However, this is mainly due to its many similar spellings and variants, which make it difficult to trace the surname's true origin.

Famous people with the name Uphoff

• Brian Uphoff: American actor known for roles in independent films including “The Great Pretender” (2012) and “Girlfriends Get Even” (2015).
• David Uphoff: former professional baseball player in Major League Baseball, playing with the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros.
• Todd Uphoff: professional golfer, winner of various tournaments including The Abilene Intercollegiate.
• Dana Uphoff: American marine biologist, best known for her work on coral reefs, specifically her research on the effects of climate change and ocean acidification.
• Bob Uphoff: award-winning actor, known for his roles on Broadway, television, and in motion pictures.
• Tom Uphoff: former professional basketball player, who was selected in the 1983 NBA Draft.
• Phil Uphoff: professional Rodeo competitor, renowned for his bull riding skills.
• John Uphoff: leader of the 18th century French expedition exploring parts of South America, including Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname.
• Serge Uphoff: Swiss chess master, winner of two Swiss championships and competitions in Germany, Russia and France.
• Michael Uphoff: American playwright and theatre critic, best known for his plays “The American Dream” and “The Job”.

Other surnames

Uphof