Surname Löckenhoff - Meaning and Origin
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Löckenhoff: What does the surname Löckenhoff mean?
The last name Löckenhoff is a German surname that originated from the medieval Low German word "lokenhof", which means "lock yard". This is a reference to a courtyard or enclosed area which was surrounded by a fence or other barrier. It was typically used for storage and can sometimes be related to an inner city courtyard in a castle or moated residence.
The Löckenhoff surname has since been used as an occupational name that refers to those who owned or managed such a space. Later, it became common among people who worked at or kept guard within these types of dwellings.
The name has a few distinct meanings. It could be an abbreviation of a form of high German such as "Lücken means hole” or a literal interpretation of "lock yard". Other theories suggest that the name could have a Gaelic origin, either from the Old Gaelic "loiccen", which means "a form of the word for flame” or from "lochtacon", meaning “the keeper of the flames”.
The Löckenhoff surname is primarily closely related to Germany, although it does have a widespread presence in other countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. In terms of its presence in Germany, it is especially common in the western parts of the country.
Order DNA origin analysisLöckenhoff: Where does the name Löckenhoff come from?
The last name Löckenhoff is most commonly found today in North Rhine-Westphalia, a federal state in western Germany. According to a genealogical research, the origin of this last name is believed to have come from a small village of Löckenhoff located near Ochtrup in the district of Steinfurt, North Rhine-Westphalia. The majority of individuals with this last name live in and around Steinfurt, Mönchengladbach, Aachen, Bonn, and Essen.
There are also some people living outside of Germany with the last name Löckenhoff, mainly originating from emigrants who left in the mid-1800s. This includes some individuals in the United States, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Despite this, the majority of the people with the last name Löckenhoff are still found in Germany, and there is still a strong presence of the name in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Löckenhoff family is regarded as a family of farmers, and the first record of the name dates back to 1751. According to historical records, Jan Hendrik Löckenhoff was renowned as a naval captain in the North Rhine-Westphalia region. This means the last name not only has a rural and agrarian background, but also a prominent military background as well.
In sum, the last name Löckenhoff is most commonly found today in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Its roots come from a small village of Löckenhoff and originated as a rural family of farmers. There are also some individuals living outside of Germany, due to the emigration of some people in the 19th century. The Löckenhoff family also has a significant military presence, having a naval captain in its ancestry.
Variations of the surname Löckenhoff
The surname Löckenhoff has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these variations include: Lokkenhoff, Lockhinghoff, Lockenhoff, Lockenhove, Lokenhoff, Lockinghoff, Lockenhoff, Lockenove, and Lockenau.
The meaning and origin of the surname Löckenhoff are unclear. It is believed to be of German, Dutch, or Low German origin. In German-speaking regions, the name likely means “lock keeper”, and is derived from the Middle Low German term “lokenhoff (or lokenhang),” which translates as “lock keeper” or “man who takes care of the gates.” In Dutch speaking countries, the name Löckenhoff is believed to have been derived from the medieval term “lucke,” meaning “to direct to the public road.”
The surname Löckenhoff is not common in many countries, but is found across Europe, particularly in Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, and France. In the United States, the surname is most common in Pennsylvania, where it arrived with German immigrants in the 1700s. In Australia, the name is most common in Queensland. In England, the surname is most common in Yorkshire and Lancashire.
The spelling Löckenhoff can be found in many public records, including birth records, marriage records, records of property ownership, tax records, military records, and more. Records suggest that some branches of the Löckenhoff family may have also adopted the spelling Lockenhoff.
Famous people with the name Löckenhoff
- Lea Löckenhoff, German actress.
- Jean-Baptiste Löckenhoff, French ballet dancer and choreographer.
- Jan Hendrik Löckenhoff, Dutch writer and poet.
- Richard Löckenhoff, German musician and composer.
- Thomas Löckenhoff, German politician.
- Matthias Löckenhoff, German classical composer and educator.
- Kristina Löckenhoff, German historian and cultural theorist.
- Wolf Löckenhoff, German director of photography.
- Johanna Löckenhoff, German fashion designer.
- Karoline Löckenhoff, German film editor.
- Siegfried Löckenhoff, German glass artist.
- Leon Löckenhoff, German photographer.
- Max Löckenhoff, German physicist.
- Katja Löckenhoff, German contemporary artist.
- Artur Löckenhoff, German sculptor.
- Ben Löckenhoff, German singer-songwriter.
- Julius Löckenhoff, Austrian composer and pianist.
- Renate Löckenhoff, German author and editor.
- Marius Löckenhoff, German-American actor and producer.
- Magdalena Löckenhoff, German photographer and painter.