Surname Meierhoefer - Meaning and Origin
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Meierhoefer: What does the surname Meierhoefer mean?
The last name Meierhoefer is a German surname derived from the personal given name Meier and the toponymic "-hoefer," which means (literally) farmer. The surname Meierhoefer is found mostly in the southwestern part of Germany, with a high concentration in the area around Stuttgart and the Black Forest.
The given name Meier has its origins in the Old Germanic language and is thought to refer to people or places occupied by farmers or herders. It is in fact found as a frequently used first name in old medieval German documents and can be traced to the 8th century AD. The derivation of the name means "mayor."
The "-hoefer" suffix is a toponymic indicating a place of residence or origin. It is derived from the Middle High German words "höfe" and "hövil", references to a local manor house or farm and to the inhabitants of such habitations.
In medieval times, Meierhoefer was an occupational name for a peasant farmer or herder who lived and worked on a manor or a farmstead. It is much less common today because of the industrial revolution, with many of these families now dispersed throughout the world.
Overall, the last name Meierhoefer was associated with peasant farmers living in the Black Forest of Germany and is indicative of the hard-working, down-to-earth nature of this noble profession.
Order DNA origin analysisMeierhoefer: Where does the name Meierhoefer come from?
Meierhoefer is a common German surname that originated in Northern Germany. Today, it can be found all over the country, as well as in other German-speaking parts of Europe. It is also occasionally found among German immigrants in other countries, like the United States and Canada.
In Germany, Meierhoefer is still most common in the northern and central parts of the country. Places like Bavaria, Hamburg, and the former East Germany are particularly well known for many Meiershoefers. Occasionally, the name is also found in areas that have a connection with the historical Hanseatic League, such as the Netherlands and Denmark.
Meierhoefer is a patronymic surname, which is a surname that is derived from the first name of an ancestor. In this case, it is derived from the German first name "Meier", which originally meant "mayor, steward, or custodian." As such, anyone bearing the Meierhoefer surname today might be a descendant of a mayor or steward from centuries ago.
Variations of the surname Meierhoefer
Meierhoefer is a German surname with a few different variants and spellings. The name can be spelled Meierhöfer, Meyererhofer, Meijerhofer, Meyerhofer, Meyerhoffer, Meijerhoffer, and Meyerhoffer. It is likely an occupational name derived from the German word meier, meaning "steward," and hof which is the German translation of "court."
The variants of the surname range in dialect, meaning they could have originated from multiple countries. Specifically, it appears to have roots in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony, with variants in Netherland's spelling detected.
In addition to different spellings, there are also a few surnames derived from which have the same origin of being steward of the court. These include Meierhaar, Meierhahn, Meyerheim, Meierhalt, and Meijer-van Velsen.
The meaning of Meierhoefer is still the same today, representing a respectable and hardworking steward of the court- a job that goes far beyond simply keeping bookkeeping and is much-respected in German society today.
Famous people with the name Meierhoefer
- Garrett Meierhoefer: California-based singer-songwriter.
- Alexander Meierhoefer: Retired Austrian handball player.
- Paul Meierhoefer, Jr.: Former professional American football player.
- Jens Meierhoefer: German alpine skier.
- Carla Marie Meierhoefer: Freelance beauty and fashion photographer.
- Jan Meyerhof: Dutch Olympic fencer.
- Jörn Meierhoefer: German biathlete.
- Wolfgang Meierhoefer: German cyclist.
- Paul Meierhoefer, Sr.: Retired American professional football player.
- Sepp Meierhoefer: German rappelz player and esports team manager.