Surname Hofer - Meaning and Origin
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Unearthing Ancestral Tales: A Hofer's Insightful Odyssey with iGENEA's DNA Analysis
Embarking on an enlightening journey with iGENEA's DNA analysis, I, a proud Hofer, discovered fascinating tales of the past encoded in my genes. It wasn't just a family name anymore - it was a symbol of resilient ancestors, a rich history, and an emblem of a bygone era.
D. Hofer
read moreHofer: What does the surname Hofer mean?
The last name Hofer is a German surname of Austrian origin, derived from the word "hufe" which means a small holder of an estate or farm. It was usually used to identify individuals occupying a low to middle class position within the manorial system.
The name is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages either in the Tyrol region of Austria or in the region of the Rhineland in Germany. It likely spread to other regions such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United States in the 19th century.
The name Hofer is most commonly found in the south Austrian state of Styria, where it is the third most common name. It is also found in small numbers in Germany, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, England, France, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Hofer surname is associated with several influential people throughout history, including the 19th century Austrian philanthropist Joseph Hofer. His famous charity foundations are still in existence today, as are other charitable institutions with the same name. This name is also associated with famous Austrian hofers, or farmers, from the Tyrol region in the 19th century.
Overall, the last name Hofer is closely associated with the German language, its culture, traditions, and history, and comes with a legacy of humble, hardworking individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisHofer: Where does the name Hofer come from?
The last name Hofer is a common German and Austrian surname. The name is derived from a Germanic title which was popularized with the rise of the Swiss Confederacy in the 13th century. Today, the name is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also present in France and other parts of Europe, as well as in former colonies in the Americas, especially parts of the US, Canada, and South America. In the United States, people with the last name Hofer are concentrated in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The name is also particularly common in parts of Canada, Mexico, and South America, such as Venezuela and Argentina. In general, Hofer is one of the most common German-language surnames worldwide.
Variations of the surname Hofer
The surname Hofer is derived from either the German word "hofer," meaning someone who lives or works on a farm, or the word "hof," which means village or court. The surname can have many variants and spellings, including Hoefer, Hoeferle, Hoffer, Hofferle, Hoffmann, Hofman, Hofmann, Hoorman, Horner, Houfer, Houferle, Hoven, Hovener, Hovens, Hovender, Hover, Hufer, Huffer, and Huffner.
Variants of the Hofer surname can be found in various languages. In Dutch, the surname is Hoever, and in Austrian it is Höfer. In Hungarian, it is Hoffer, and in Polish it is Hofferówna.
Many surnames have their roots in the Hofer surname. Houseman, Hausman, Hagerman, and Huberman are all Dutch variants. In Germany, surnames such as Hausmann, Hampelmann, Hampel, Hämmerle, and Hämmerling are all derived from the Hofer surname.
The Hofer surname is also linked to many Jewish surnames. Hoffer, Hoffmann, Hofman, and Hofmann are all Jewish surnames that share an inheritance with Hofer.
Hofer can also refer to an Eastern European Jewish name meaning mason or builder in many Yiddish languages. It is derived from the German word "höfen," which means to build.
However you spell it, the Hofer surname has traveled far. With many variants and spellings, the surname is shared by many cultures and has centuries-old origins.
Famous people with the name Hofer
- Klaus Hofer (Austrian politician and mayor of Graz)
- Konrad Hofer (Austrian geologist in the fields of alpine geology and hydrogeology)
- Friedrich Hofer (Austrian abstract expressionist painter, co-founder of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism)
- Erich Hofer (Austrian singer and actor, best known for his role as Der Hofrat in the German musical comedy Oberstadtgass)
- Hans Hofer (former president of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court)
- Jan Hofer (German journalist, presenter and former news anchor of the Tagesschau)
- Marlies Hofer (Austrian cross-country skier)
- Karl-Heinz Hofer (Austrian sprint canoer)
- Manfred Hofer (Austrian sociologist)
- Mark Hofer (Austrian slalom canoeist)