Surname Zeitlhöfer - Meaning and Origin
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Zeitlhöfer: What does the surname Zeitlhöfer mean?
The last name Zeitlhöfer is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Zeitlhofer, which is a combination of the Old High German words "zeit", meaning "time" and "hofer", meaning "farmer". This name could have been given to a person who worked as a farmer or managed a farm, or it could have been used as a nickname for someone who worked diligently and was always on time.
The name Zeitlhöfer can also refer to a group of families from the south-eastern region of Bavaria. Records have been found showing a family of this name living in Fuchshofen, Bavaria since 1530, where members of the group would have been employed as farmers and artisans. Later, in the 18th century, the Fischer family from Nuremberg had the surname Zeitlhöfer change to Fischer. So, it is likely that the surname originated from one of the two families either in Bavaria or Nuremberg.
The meaning of the last name Zeitlhöfer has many interpretations, but the most common one seems to be related to the diligence and hard work of a farmer. This name can be interpreted to show respect to hard work, and as a tribute to the dedication and dedication of the person who took the time to cultivate and grow something. It is also possible that this name was adopted in order to recognize those with a good reputation for their work in the field.
Order DNA origin analysisZeitlhöfer: Where does the name Zeitlhöfer come from?
The surname Zeitlhöfer is a surname common in Germany today. It has been found widely in Germany and in areas of Germany where immigrants from Germany have settled such as the U.S., Canada, and Argentina. The name is derived from the German words "Zeitl" meaning "time" and "höfer" meaning "landowner". The name was likely first used in the Middle Ages as an occupational name for someone who owned land and kept records of farming activities according to the appropriate period for working the land.
In modern times, the surname is one of relative rarity and is found mainly in southern parts of Germany such as Bavaria, Hesse, Saxony and Thuringia. Estimates place the number of those bearing the surname at fewer than 15,500 people worldwide, with the vast majority of those living in Germany.
Historically, the surname has been a unisex name, with both males and females bearing the name. It is primarily found in rural areas of Germany, with its origin and concentration being the Bavarian region. It may be an occupational name that has been passed down through successive generations, but there is limited knowledge about its origins.
Given its distribution and the scarcity of the name, it is unknown how many of those bearing the surname are related. It is possible that the greater majority of those who bear the surname are unrelated, suggesting that the name has been shared by many families over time, rather than being attributed to a single, prominent family.
Variations of the surname Zeitlhöfer
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Zeitlhöfer include Zaitlhofer, Zeitlofer, Zeitlhofer, Zaytlhöfer, Zaytlhofer, Zaytlhofr, Zeithöfer, Zeithofer, Zeithofr, Zeidlhöfer, and Zeidlhofer.
The common forms of these surnames are Zeitlhöfer, Zeithöfer, and Zeidlhöfer. The most common spelling of Zeitlhöfer is with the Umlaut (ä or ö). This spelling is a German variant, indicating a region of origin in Germany. Other variations include Zaitlhofer, Zeitlofer, Zeitlhofer, Zaytlhöfer, Zaytlhofer, and Zaytlhofr. All of these spellings are also German, indicating a region of origin in Germany.
The surnames Zeitlhöfer, Zeithöfer, and Zeidlhöfer are derived from the Middle High German name Zitelhofer, which means “gentleman” or “aristocrat.” This surname likely developed in the 13th century as a result of the feudal system in Germany. In the feudal system, those who held higher positions in society would take on aristocratic titles as part of their surnames, and the surname Zeitlhöfer is likely a result of this system.
The surname Zeitlhöfer is not common today, and is mostly found in Germany, Austria, and the United States. There are also individuals with these surnames spread across the world due to immigration from these countries.
Famous people with the name Zeitlhöfer
- Harald Zeitlhöfer: German novelist and short story writer
- Bernd Zeitlhöfer: company CEO of Fraport AG, a German airport operator and service provider
- Andreas Zeitlhöfer: German chemist and professor who specializes in heterogeneous catalysis
- Jürgen Zeitlhöfer: German politician, from the Free Democratic Party, who is a member of the Bundestag for Rhineland-Palatinate
- Richard Zeitlhöfer: theoretical physicist and professor at the University of Heidelberg
- Matthias Zeitlhöfer: Austrian actor in television, film, and theater
- Tina Zeitlhöfer: German film and television actress
- Eva Zeitlhöfer: German pornographic actress
- Horst Zeitlhöfer: German economist
- Lutz Zeitlhöfer: German animal painter, sculptor, and photographer