Surname Alof - Meaning and Origin
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Alof: What does the surname Alof mean?
The last name Alof is an English surname of Norse origin. The name is derived from the Old Norse word “al” which means “all, completely,” and “uff” which roughly translates to “floating” and is also associated with the sea. Together, these two words create “Alof” which has come to mean “by the sea” or “from the sea.”
Records of the Alof surname date back to the 1200s when the Alofs settled in England. The Alofs who migrated to England were likely Scandinavian seafarers, which explains the meaning of their name. In England, Alof became a popular name in a variety of locations throughout the country, suggesting that Scandinavian seafarers were able to integrate and assimilate with the locals while still preserving their cultural roots.
Today, Alof remains a rare but distinctive last name in English speaking countries. People who bear the name Alof are unique, and are usually quite proud of their heritage and the significance behind their family name. To them, being an Alof means having a cultural connection with the Scandinavian seafarers who first adopted the name centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisAlof: Where does the name Alof come from?
The last name Alof is a common modern surname, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. According to a 2019 study, Alof is the 616th most common surname in Germany, with over 12,000 people bearing the name. It is also common in Finland, where it is the 517th most common name, and Sweden, where it is the 567th most common surname.
Alof is also increasingly found in the Middle East, where the name is Arabized as Al-Alaf or Elof. It is especially popular in Syria, where it is found primarily among the Druze community. There, it is typically spelled Alalaf, making it the 58th most common surname in the country.
Outside of the Middle East, Alof can be found in the United States and Canada, although it is much less common. In the United States, it is the 18,673rd most common surname according of the United States Census Bureau, while in Canada it is the 13,749th most common name. It is most common in the states of New Jersey, New York, and Washington.
Overall, the last name Alof is a relatively common surname today, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. It is much less common in Canada and the United States, but is still found in large concentrations in some areas.
Variations of the surname Alof
Alof is a surname originating from Scandinavia. It is most commonly found in Estonia, Finland, and Sweden and is derived from the Old Norse personal name "ǫluf," meaning "heir of," or "descendant of."
Variations of the Alof surname include Allof, Alf, Aloff, Alfoffen, Alfgunnar, Alfke, Algeir, Alofs, Alofson, Alofsun, and Álöf. Spellings can also be modified to include umlauts (ö and ö) for multiple Scandinavian countries.
The Allof, Alf, Aloff, and Alfoffen surnames are the most popular variations of Alof and are also found in the British Isles. Allof is more commonly found in England and Wales, while Alf, Aloff and Alfoffen are prominent in Scotland and Ireland.
Alofs is the most popular variation in Sweden, with Alofson and Alofsun being the spelling preference in Finland and Estonia, respectively. Algeir is the variant form of the Alof surname in Iceland and Norway, while Alfgunnar, Alfke, and Álöf are rare variations found in various Scandinavian countries.
Overall, Alof is a Scandinavian surname with a variety of spellings and variants which can be found across Europe.
Famous people with the name Alof
- Amy Alof, American Paralympic javelin thrower
- Albion Alof, former army officer and diplomat
- Jóhanna S. Alof, Icelandic poet and children's literature author
- Frits Alof, former Dutch professional footballer
- Luc Alof, former Dutch long-distance runner
- Labinot Alof, Albanian professional footballer
- Yohan Alof, French professional footballer
- Gerwin Alof, former professional football player from the Netherlands
- Marín Alof, Spanish footballer
- Jonathan Alof, American actor and director