Surname Zellhöfer - Meaning and Origin
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Zellhöfer: What does the surname Zellhöfer mean?
The last name Zellhöfer is of German origin, stemming from the Old High German word ‘selhofora’. This word literally translates to “cellar-holder,” or someone who is responsible for or in charge of a cellar.
This name can be found among people in many countries and continents. Many people who bear the name migrated to other countries during the 1600s-1800s, especially to North America. Today, the last name is still particularly popular in Germany.
The Zellhöfer coat of arms features two black birds sitting atop a white coronet. It is believed that the two birds represent vigilance and loyalty. These are important traits within the German culture and something that the Zellhöfer family has prided themselves on over the centuries.
In terms of its modern day use, the surname is quite rare. However, anyone who does carry the last name should consider themselves lucky to have an ancestral link to such an esteemed and respected name. It is unknown how many people carry it, but those who do likely have a deep connection to the Cellar-holder culture.
Order DNA origin analysisZellhöfer: Where does the name Zellhöfer come from?
The last name Zellhöfer is most commonly found in Germany, with the highest concentration being in Saxony-Anhalt, a state in the eastern and central parts of the country. Many people with the last name Zellhöfer can be traced back to the small town of Zella located in central Thuringia in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The name Zellhöfer can also be found in other parts of Europe, particularly in Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary. Within each of these countries, there are small enclaves of people who have adopted the Zellhöfer surname, though the populations of such enclaves are likely small compared to their German counterparts.
A notable example of the name Zellhöfer outside of Europe is in the United States, particularly in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. While the exact reasoning for the presence of this surname in the United States is still unknown, it's likely that it was brought over by German immigrants centuries ago and has developed since then.
Overseas, the surname Zellhöfer is primarily found in the Americas, particularly in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. Again, the specifics surrounding how the Zellhöfer family name found its way to these countries are not known, though it stands to reason that much like the United States, German immigrants who arrived many centuries ago likely brought this surname with them.
All in all, the surname Zellhöfer can be found all over the world although its presence is much higher in Germany than anywhere else.
Variations of the surname Zellhöfer
The surname Zellhöfer is of German origin, and is derived from the words "zelle" meaning "cell" and "höfer" meaning "farmer". It is sometimes spelled Zehlhöfer, Zellhoefer, Zellhoefers, Zellhöffers, Zellhoefers, Zellhoefer, and Zehlhoefer. It can also be found in other variations such as Zellerhofen, Zellhofer, Zellerhofer, and Zehlhofer.
The German spelling of Zellhöfer is usually rendered in English phonetically as cell-ho-faar. The anglicized version of the surname is also sometimes spelled with multiple spellings such as Celhoefer, Cellhoefer, Cellhofer, Celhof, Cellhofer, Cellhof, Celhofen, Cellhofen, Celhofer, Celhofer, Celhofers, Celhofer, and other variants.
The surname Zellhöfer is often confused with another surname of the same origin, Zeillerhofen. Both surnames are derived from two German elements: zelle, meaning a small room or dwelling, and hofen, meaning an estate or farm. The difference between these two surnames is in the addition of the letter 'r' to the Zeillerhofen spelling which generally indicates a location associated with or near a certain estate or farm.
In some of the historic records, the surname Zellhöfer can also be found spelt with a hyphen or dash (-), for example 'Zell-höfer'. This is generally believed to be indicative of two separate related surnames with the same origin, as often seen in the names of former major families.
All of the spellings and variations of the surname Zellhöfer likely originated from the same source and have the same meaning, although if other surnames with a similar origin, such as Zeillerhofen, are taken into consideration it is possible to connect them as well.
Famous people with the name Zellhöfer
- Emma Zellhöfer: German actress and singer.
- Werner Zellhöfer: German politician and lawyer.
- Peter Zellhöfer: German entrepreneur and business leader.
- Andreas Zellhöfer: German actor and radio host.
- Joachim Zellhöfer: German writer and journalist.
- Michele Zellhöfer: Swiss-American fashion designer.
- Stefan Zellhöfer: Austrian actor and singer.
- Gustav Zellhöfer: German composer and conductor.
- Gudrun Zellhöfer: German singer and songwriter.
- Julian Zellhöfer: German actor and director.
- Frank Zellhöfer: German film and television producer.
- Johannes Zellhöfer: German TV host and actor.
- Erich Zellhöfer: German painter, sculptor and teacher.
- Richard Zellhöfer: German engineer and entrepreneur.
- Gerhard Zellhöfer: German physicist and engineer.
- Hans Joachim Zellhöfer: German politician, lawyer and WWII resistance figure.
- Ingeborg Zellhöfer: German singer and musical theater performer.