Surname Zeitlhoefler - Meaning and Origin
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Zeitlhoefler: What does the surname Zeitlhoefler mean?
The last name Zeitlhöfler is an Old German origin name which literally translates to ‘time-lord’ or ‘time-master’. It is believed that the name originated from the term ‘zeit feilen’ which means ‘to watch the time’. Those bearing this name were once the keepers of time within their communities, responsible for tracking the days, months, and seasons for their people. In some cases people may have taken on the name as an occupation, while for others it may have been an inherited title or given as a compliment due to their skill in keeping track of events no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
Due to the name’s long history, it has evolved over the years, and is now found in many different spellings, including time Lord, Zeitlhöfler, Zailenhöfle, Zetonhöfler, and many more. Those named Zeitlhöfler are typically thought of as punctual, organized people with a great eye for detail. They often go above and beyond for the people around them, always willing to lend a hand or lend someone a listening ear when it’s needed most, and are usually deeply respected within their communities.
Order DNA origin analysisZeitlhoefler: Where does the name Zeitlhoefler come from?
The last name Zeitlhoefler is mainly found in Germany today. It is believed to be an occupational surname, referring to an occupation in some way related to managing or operating a tavern or inn. According to genealogical records, it originated in the early 1500s in Bavaria, the largest state in Germany. Today, the family name is most commonly found in the modern German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also found in Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary, especially among people of German descent.
In the United States, the surname Zeitlhoefler has been reported in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, as well as in places such as Otter Tail County, Minnesota, Schenectady County, New York, and carry other known forms of the name such as Zeitlhöfer, Zaitlhöfer and Zaytlow.
The name has also been found in Canada in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, with other variations, such as Zetlhoefer and Zetlow, and in Australia in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
It is possible that some members of the Zeitlhoefler family were among those Austrians who migrated to the Chicago area in the late 19th century. Cultural elements associated with the surname today may include the German folk music style called alpenländische, as many of the families with the last name still live in Bavarian-speaking regions.
Gesellschaft für Computer genealogische Forschungsarbeiten (Society for Computer Genealogical Research) offers a free searchable database where a person can search for a family with the last name Zeitlhoefler. All in all, the last name Zeitlhoefler is widely distributed in modern-day Europe, the Americas, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Zeitlhoefler
The surname Zeitlhoefler has several variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin.
One of the variants of Zeitlhoefler is Zeytlhofer. This is a German surname derived from the same Middle High German root, "tz(e)it," meaning time.
Another variant is Zeitlhofer, which is the most common version currently in use. It is sometimes spelled as Zaytlhofer or Zeitlhoefer.
The spelling Zaytlhofer may have originally been related to the Bavarian dialect. In other words, those originally from Bavaria may have been more likely to spell the name this way.
The surname Zeitler is also associated with the same root, but it is of German descent and may have separate origins. It is a variation from the Middle High German word “trâge,” meaning "time".
The German surname Zeidler is an occupational surname derived from the German word “zide,” which means "worker." This surname could also be related to Zeitlhoefler.
Finally, the surname Hundreds is derived from the same Middle High German root and is an occupational surname for a maker or a seller of headwear.
Overall, the surnames Zeitlhoefler, Zeytlhofer, Zeitlhofer, Zeitler, Zeidler, and Hundreds are all related one to another, derived from the same German word and with various spellings in different local dialects.
Famous people with the name Zeitlhoefler
- Dr. Heike Zeitlhöfel-Jürgens: Emeritus professor of neuropsychology from Germany
- Nikolaus von Zeitlhoefler: a German cardinal of the Catholic Church
- Jürgen Zeitlhöfel: a German artist and sculptor
- August Zeitlhöfel: the archbishop of Salzburg in the 18th century
- Michael Zeitlhöfel: a former Austrian football player
- Richard von Zeitlhöfel: a noted German author and literary theorist
- Wolfgang von Zeitlhöfel: a German professor of history specializing in the history of the early modern period
- Kristina Zeitlhöfel: a German-based artist, sculptor, and painter
- Andreas Zeitlhöfel: a Bavarian businessman and race car driver
- Johann Zeitlhoefler: a dramatist and writer from Austria