Surname Hofmair - Meaning and Origin
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Hofmair: What does the surname Hofmair mean?
The last name Hofmair is a German surname with roots in Bavaria or Austro-Bavarian areas. It is derived from the Middle High German term “hove” meaning "small farm". The Hofmair family historically were craftsmen and farmers.
The Hofmair surname first originated as a descriptive name for someone who owned or lived in a small farm estate. Many of them were farmers who tilled the land to grow food and raise livestock. Some were craftsmen, employed in occupations such as a carpenter, a miller, a blacksmith, a mason, or a cooper.
Today, there are many members of the Hofmair family spread around the world, most of them still residing in Germany or Austria. The surname is widely recognizable around the world, and those who bear it can take pride in their German heritage.
Ultimately, the last name Hofmair has a long and proud history, and those who bear it can take comfort in the knowledge that members of their family were hardworking, valuable contributors to the communities in which they resided.
Order DNA origin analysisHofmair: Where does the name Hofmair come from?
The last name Hofmair is most commonly found in Germany. Its highest concentration is in Bavaria, which is a state in the south eastern part of the country. It is estimated that around 3500 people bear the name.
Outside Germany, the last name is most prevalent in Austria, where it is estimated that 500 people currently hold it. However, it is also fairly common in the United States, where it is estimated that around 200 people are named Hofmair. This is likely because of the large numbers of German immigrants who left for the United States in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Within Germany and Austria, the last name is especially popular in rural, agricultural regions. This is not surprising, as the name is originally derived from the old German word ‘Hof’, which means ‘farm’. It likely comes from people who once lived and worked on farms, and over time adopted the name Hofmair as their family name.
The name has also begun to spread further afield, with individuals named Hofmair found in places as far afield as Bulgaria and the United Kingdom. As with any name from the Germanic region, the spelling of it will be slightly different in different countries, depending on local language and pronunciation customs. For example, the name might be spelt Hofmaier or Hofmeyer in some places.
Overall, the last name Hofmair is most common in Germany and Austria, but it can also be found throughout Europe and in the United States. Its origin lies in rural Germany, but it is no longer confined to its home region.
Variations of the surname Hofmair
The surname Hofmair has several variants and spellings, of which include Hofmeyr, Hofmeier, Hofmeyer, Hofmaier, Hofmaier and Hoffman.
The variation Hoffmann, although not necessarily part of the same family, is also believed to have originated from the same roots as those of the Hofmair family. It is believed that the name arose from the Middle High German word 'hoffe', meaning 'court' or 'farm'. As land ownership was a sign of wealth and nobility, individuals with this surname were likely of a higher social standing.
The ‘er’ suffix in Hofmair is also believed to have stemmed from the Middle High German word, 'aris', meaning an 'army leader', suggesting another variation of the Hofmair surname could be Hofmar.
The Hofmair family name can also be traced back as far as the 15th century when records suggest it was used in Southwest Germany and Austria. This makes sense, given the commonality of the surname there today too; it is reported to be the 18th most popular surname in today’s Austria, and one of the top 50 surnames in Germany.
As such, individuals with this last name could be of German, Austrian or European descent, although international variants of this surname would retain its roots in Europe.
Famous people with the name Hofmair
- Georg Hofmair: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1972 and 1996 Winter Olympics.
- Ernst Hofmair: Austrian bobsledder who competed in the 1976, 1980 and 1986 Winter Olympics.
- Martin Hofmair: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
- Julian Hofmair: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Christine Hofmair: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
- Gertraud Hofmair: Austrian alpine skier, 1992 Winter Olympics bronze medalist.
- Liesl Hofmair: Austrian alpine skier who has won medals in the okcalmrace World Cup and Junior World Championship.
- Gottfried Hofmair: Austrian pianist, baroque specialist, professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.
- Florian Hofmair: Austrian judoka, European champion in 1975, silver medalist at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Jutta Hofmair: Austrian handballer, winner of two bronze medals at the 1996 EHF European Championship.