Surname Zehethofer - Meaning and Origin
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Zehethofer: What does the surname Zehethofer mean?
The last name Zehethofer is of German origin, and indicates that the family is descended from someone who lived in or near the town of Zehetmauer or Zehettmauer in Germany. One possible translation of the name is "from the beech tree fence," which suggests that the original bearer of the name lived near a fence or wall made of beech trees.
The name is generally found in southern Germany - the areas of Bavaria, Baden-Wurttenberg, and Saxony - indicating that the family likely originated there sometime in the late Middle Ages. During this time many German families moved east to parts of Poland, the Baltic nations, and Russia, so it is possible that the Zehethofers may have previously lived in those regions before returning to Germany.
In modern day Germany, Zehethofer is not a common surname, however, in Bavaria and near Thuringia it is quite common. It tends to be associated with both farming and metalworking, two traditional Munich-based professions which were popular throughout the region when the family first began to use the name.
Today, the Zehethofer name is found across the globe, due to large-scale emigration of German-speakers in the 19th and 20th centuries. The family is still mostly associated with Germany, however, and their ancestral home in Zehetmauer or Zehettmauer.
Order DNA origin analysisZehethofer: Where does the name Zehethofer come from?
The last name Zehethofer is native to central Europe and is most common in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland today. In many areas of Austria, this name is considered to be a common variant of the spelling "Seifert", as both are derived from the same root word - seifen or zehe. The number of people bearing this surname is thought to be around 50,000 worldwide, with the majority living in Austria and Germany.
In Austria, the Zehethofer surname is most common in the states of Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Salzburg. This is closely correlated with the regions in which its root, seifen or zehe, first emerged in the Middle Ages as a local occupation name derived from that which was used in Austria to describe workers in the manual production of soaps. Additionally, evidence of this name can be found as far afield as Prague and Russia.
A further connection can be made between the surname and the community of Zehetbauer, a town located in Upper Austria, which also has the same root. Although the etymology of the name is unknown, the census records of Austria suggest that the town was already given this name in the late 16th century, suggesting that the occurrences of the Zehethofer surname might have emerged in the region around the same time.
Today, most of the Zehethofer surname holders still live in Austria and Germany, but some have also spread to other countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Their contributions to the global community, either through the field of science or business, are prominent and are likely to remain so for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Zehethofer
The surname Zehethofer has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the more common ones are Zehthofer, Zehstofer, Zehstoff, Zehstoffer, Zehstofers, Zehstoffen, Zehsthamper, Zeh, Zeeht, Zehnter, Zeythofer, Zeyffer, Zey, Zeithofer, Zeithoff, Zeiffer, Zaefferer, Zaeffert, Zaeffer, and Zaeffner.
All of these surnames have similar roots, stemming from German, Czech, Dutch, and other Germanic names. The surname might be derived from a topographic name for someone living near a side road or pathway, derived from the Middle High German words “zehe”, meaning “side” and “hoff”, meaning “court,” as well as “tor”, meaning “gate”. They may also be derived from Jewish surnames, derived from the words “zeh,” meaning “this” and “taff”, meaning “sheet”.
The name has seen a relatively recent influx of immigrants, settling in the United States, Denmark, and other parts of Europe in the mid-19th century, due to political upheaval in many of their respective countries.
Other variations of the surname, which may be more common in different countries, include Zeh, Scionti, Seita, Seittel, and Zettlitz.
Throughout Europe, the Zehethofer surname and its variants have been known for centuries, written as Zētōffā in 1584 and Zetheuffel in 1658. In modern times, the surname continues to be used throughout Europe, the United States, and beyond.
Famous people with the name Zehethofer
- Katharina Zehetmayer, Austrian translator and author.
- Rudolf Zehetmayer, Austrian sculptor and designer.
- Alexander Zehetmayer, Austrian classical conductor and composer.
- Martin Zehetmayer, Austrian Timpanist, Pianist and Composer.
- Erich Zehetmayer, Austrian sculptor and painter.
- Franz Zehetmayer, Austrian composer and conductor.
- Otto Zehetmayer, Austrian politician and Minister of Women's Affairs.
- Heinz Zehetmayer, Austrian alpine skier.
- Lukas Zehetmayer, Austrian musician, producer and songwriter.
- Harald Zehetmayer, Austrian actor and director.
- Anna Zehetmayer, Swiss architect and urban planner.
- Roland Zehetmayer, Austrian entrepreneur and Founding Chairman of the Austrian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association.
- Stephan Zehetmayer, Austrian film director and cameraman.
- Robert Zehetmayer, Austrian-American-Canadian physicist and astronomer.
- Peter Zehetmayer, Austrian surgeon and founding member of the International Society of Surgery.