Surname Altenhoefer - Meaning and Origin
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Altenhoefer: What does the surname Altenhoefer mean?
The last name Altenhoefer is a German surname that originated in the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the old German words “Alten” meaning old and “hoefer” meaning soldier or army. As such, it was likely originally given to a soldier or knight who was of noble rank or high standing in his community. It is also possible that the name was given to someone in the military or civil service.
The name Altenhoefer is most common in the area west of Hannover, Germany and in Southwestern Germany. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
In modern times, people with the last name Altenhoefer are likely to find work in corporate offices, government, medicine, education and other professional fields. They may also be involved in business, industry, or trades.
In terms of personality, those bearing the Altenhoefer surname may tend to be strong-willed, independent, and creative. They may also take a great deal of pride in their work and enjoy a challenge.
In general, having the Altenhoefer surname is a special distinction that carries a legacy of strength, dedication, and perseverance. The Altenhoefer family can take pride in their proud heritage and in their accomplishments in modern times.
Order DNA origin analysisAltenhoefer: Where does the name Altenhoefer come from?
The last name Altenhoefer (also spelled Altenhofer) today is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is one of the most widely distributed German last names; it is also found in smaller numbers in parts of the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina.
The name is derived from the German phrase "alt(en) Hof(en)", which translates to "old/ancient estate/domain". It is usually associated with the Old High German word "hoeva", which referred to a courtyard or house. Thus, Altenhoefer can be roughly translated to mean "from the old estate".
The Altenhoefer family can trace its roots back to the Rhineland Palatinate region of Germany. During the Middle Ages, the name was first found in the Rhineland region, where it was most likely concentrated around the towns of Himmelstadt and Weilerbach. During the early modern period, the family spread to Bavaria and eventually the more northern areas of Germany.
Today, the Altenhoefer family is found throughout Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. In terms of the United States and Canada, the Altenhoefer family is found mainly in the Midwest and western states such as Oregon, Washington, and California. Today, the Altenhoefer family remains well connected with its roots in Central and Eastern Europe.
Variations of the surname Altenhoefer
Altenhoefer is an uncommon surname found in Germany, Austria and the United States, with variants including Altentheofer, Altenthofer, Althenhofer, Altcnhoefcr, Althoen-hofer, Althorfer, and Altinhofer. Other distinct spellings of the same origin could include Alteinhofer, Altenhofer, Aeltinhofer and Aleinhofer.
Variants of the Altenhoefer surname, often used in the U.S., may also include Altehoefer, Althaefer, and Althenhofer, among others. In parts of Germany, Althoefer or Althofer is also used an alternate spelling of Altenhoefer.
The most popular surnames that share the same origin include Aaltinhofer, Alpthofer, Alpthoff, Alenhoefer, Altcnhoefer, Alspacher, Alspaugh, Ault, Aultman, Aldtman, Altman, and Alcorn. All of these are derived from the same Ostro- Germanic root, alt meaning “old” and hof, or “court”.
Outside of Germany, variants of the surname Altenhoefer exist in multiple countries, including several in Europe, as well as Canada, and the United States. In England, and Scotland variants include eltonhofer and Altnofer among others, and in Austria, the surname Altinhofer is more frequently seen.
Though distinct, all of these variants stem from the same surname root, and may be interchangeable depending on the region in which it is found.
Famous people with the name Altenhoefer
- Willi Altenhoefer: Former president of the Christian Democratic Union in Germany.
- Gunter Altenhoefer: Visual artist from Düsseldorf, Germany.
- Jürgen Altenhoefer: Footballer who played 113 matches for Rot-Weiss Essen.
- Ernst Altenhoefer: Former German football player who won two caps for the National Team.
- Adolf Altenhoefer: German politician and member of the NSDAP.
- Friederike Altenhoefer: Award-winning Austrian artist.
- Helmut Altenhoefer: Former German football player for SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
- William Altenhoefer: Commander of the USS Cabot, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, during World War II.
- Dieter Altenhoefer: Senior lecturer in the medical faculty of the University of Witten/Herdecke.
- Heinz Altenhoefer: German writer and editor of the journal "Ökologie & Gesellschaft".