Surname Imhof - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Threads of the Past: A Journey into the origins of the Imhof Surname with iGENEA DNA Analysis

Delving into family history is a fascination that recently led me on a captivating journey with iGENEA's DNA analysis, illuminating the history of my family name, Imhof. Revealing its origins and connecting with distant relatives made our shared genetic heritage come alive quite strikingly.

U. Imhof

Imhof: What does the surname Imhof mean?

The surname Imhof is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Middle High German words “imhof” or “imhus” which mean “at the court” or “in the courtyard”. This surname is thought to be an occupational name for someone who worked at a nobleman's court or in the royal household. It is also likely to have been a nickname for someone who had an important role of authority at a court.

In the Middle Ages, the Imhof surname likely had many different spellings, which often led to many variations of the name. Some of these variations include Imhof, Imhoff, Imhofe, Imhöfel, Imhofel, Imhöfer, Imhofer, Imhofen, and Imhofer.

Throughout history, many families have risen to prominence using the Imhof name, such as the hilltop castle owners, the counts of Imhof, who owned lands and estates in various provinces during the late medieval period as well as notable military generals, senators, artists, and academics.

The Imhof name is still very popular today and remains one of the most common surnames found in Germany and Austria. Despite its popularity, the Imhof name is seen much less in other parts of the world, making it a unique family name.

Imhof: Where does the name Imhof come from?

The last name Imhof is common in many parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in some parts of the United States, typically with German ancestry. The name has a long history, with the earliest known mention of Imhof recorded in Germany and Switzerland in the mid-16th century.

In Germany, Imhof is most common in the region of Bavaria, where it is primarily concentrated in rural regions. In Austria, Imhof is most common in the regions of Lower Austria and Tyrol. There are a few Imhofs in Switzerland, mainly located in the canton of Schwyz.

In the United States, the surname is found mainly in areas with large populations of German immigrants including Texas, North Dakota, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. It is most common in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the country, particularly in the states of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Overall, Imhof is an ancient last name with a long history of being associated with areas of Europe where German is the primary language. It has also become quite popular in the United States among the German-American population. It’s a great example of how immigrants to this country have brought their culture and surnames with them and spread them all throughout the country.

Variations of the surname Imhof

The surname Imhof is an old German, Swedish, and Dutch surname that dates back to the medieval period. In Germany, the form of the surname is usually Imhoff, with 'h' being the traditional spelling, while in Sweden and the Netherlands, it is spelled Imhof. Variants of the surname include Imhoff, Imhofe, Imhofen, Imhoffs and Imhofs.

In Germany, the origin of the surname lies in the personal name Immo or Im, combined with “hof,” meaning “court” in late Middle High German. This indicates that the ancestral home of the Imhof family was once a court.

In Sweden, the surname Imhof is derived from the Swedish word “hof,” meaning “farm” or “manor,” which indicates that the Imhofs may have once held or owned a farmstead or manor in the country.

In the Netherlands, the Imhof surname is derived from the Dutch word “hof,” which means “garden” or “estate.” This indicates that the Imhofs have a long connection with the land that dates back to the medieval period.

The spelling variations of Imhof have given rise to further surnames with similar roots, including the German surnames Imhofen, Imhoffs, Imhorst, Imholt and Imhofer. The Swedish and Dutch surnames of Imhagen and Imhofen are both of the same origin as Imhof.

Ultimately, Imhof is a surname with an ancient past, with many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, all of which stem from old Germanic and Dutch roots.

Famous people with the name Imhof

• Guido Imhof: Swiss model, actor, and professional dancer.
• Alessia Imhof: Italian skier, winner of the 2020 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.
• Karl Imhof: German actor and producer.
• Armin Imhof: Swiss sculptor specialized in bronze and iron works.
• Patrizia Imhof: Swiss biathlete and member of the Swiss National Team.
• Andreas Imhof: Swiss former association football player.
• Anja Imhof: German professional snowboarder and four-time Olympian.
• Tanja Imhof: Swiss orienteering athlete and member of the Swiss Orienteering Team.
• David Imhof: German former cyclist and founder of the Imhof bike shop.
• Adrian Imhof: Swiss chemist and RA member of the Group of Biological Chemistry and Chemistry of Life Processes at the University of Zürich.
• Samuel Imhof: Swiss alpine skier and member of the Ligue Suisse de Ski Alpin.

Other surnames

ImhoferImhoffImholtImholteImhoof