Surname Peterhoff - Meaning and Origin

Peterhoff: What does the surname Peterhoff mean?

The last name Peterhoff is of German origin. The name, spelled Peterhoff or Peterhoffe, originates from the German term “hoff”, which can be translated to mean “courtyard” or “estate”. It is likely that the surname originated from a family who either owned or lived in the grounds of an estate.

Over time, the name Peterhoff has spread to many different countries and has taken on several variations, such as Peterhoven, Pieterhof, Peuterhof, and Petterhof. It has been found in records in countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway, amongst others.

The name is also associated with nobility, with members of the Dutch nobility often adopting the surname in the 19th century. It likely came to signify power, wealth, and privilege. This was likely due to its origin of coming from an estate, thus a higher social standing.

Today, the name continues to indicate power and privilege, as the owners of estates often held prominent positions in society. Lastly, the name is seen as a strong and noble name, often seen as trustworthy and dependable.

Peterhoff: Where does the name Peterhoff come from?

The surname Peterhoff is most commonly found today in Germany, especially in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia. The name was especially popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the area of what is now Germany was divided into many small states and territories. It was in this period that the name started to spread to other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland.

The most common variant of the name in Germany today is Peterhoffe, although Pieterhoff and Pieterhof are also found. In other countries, the name is sometimes written as Peterhoff or Peterhof.

In North America, the Peterhoff surname is mainly found in the United States, although it is believed that some of the early settlers were from Dutch and German roots, so the name could have also spread from Europe in the 19th century. In the United States, Peterhoffs usually descend from immigrants who came in the early twentieth century, such as those who arrived through Ellis Island. Immigration records from this time period indicate that the most common origin was from Germany.

It is unlikely that the surname is a coincidence, as it appears to be of German origin. It is possible that one ancestor with a German background was responsible for the surname’s spread. Today, the surname is still relatively rare in the United States, but is still present in the German-speaking diaspora.

Variations of the surname Peterhoff

The surname Peterhoff is an Anglo-Germanic name originating from several different roots. It can be derived from the given name Peter or from the name Peterhoof which was a pet form of the older name Peterhof. Additionally, there are Dutch and German spellings of the name such as Pieperholf, Pieterholf, Peterholf, Peterhoffs, and Pieterhoffs.

The origin of the name Peterhof is believed to have derived from a place name. The Peterhof Castle in Saint Petersburg is one of the places of origin. The place-name appears with some frequency in several countries and gives rise to several variant spellings of Peterhoff.

In the United States the surname variants include: Peerhoof, Pieterhoof, Pieterhoffs, Pierhoof, Peterhof, Pieperhoff, Pieperholf, Peterhoof, and Peterhoffs.

In other parts of the English-speaking world, variant spellings of Peterhoff may include: Pettefer, Peterfer, Petrifier, Peterfiff, Pitterfed, and Petterfeoff.

Names of similar origin include Pieterse, Peterse, Peterza, Pierza, and Peterzon. These surnames are regional variants, commonly found in the Netherlands or Germany.

Other names related to Peterhoff include Pierringer, Pierron, Peterman, and Peterman. These variants can be mainly found in Germany and Austria.

Famous people with the name Peterhoff

• Margarete Peterhoff-Slupetzky (1876–1952), Austrian author.
• Friedrich Peterhoff (1851–1919), German architect.
• Paul Peterhoff (1842–1911), German farmer and politician.
• Peter Peterhoff (1937–1988), Danish actor and director.
• Bärbel Peterhoff (born 1959), German politician.
• David Peterhoff (born 1968), German sprinter.
• Exposure Peterhoff (born 1974), German electronic musician.
• Boris Peterhoff (born 1977), German illustrator and graphic designer.
• Simon Peterhoff (born 1977), German football player.
• Bettina Peterhoff (born 1983), German swimmer.
• Elias Peterhoff (born 1991), composer and musician.
• Gianni Peterhoff (born 1998), Italian soccer player.
• Daniel Peterhoff (born 2002), German student.
• Polly Peterhoff (born 1934), American model and actress.

Other surnames

Peterhof