Surname Amhoff - Meaning and Origin
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Amhoff: What does the surname Amhoff mean?
The last name Amhoff is of German origin. It is derived from the German word “amthoff” which probably refers to an administrative princes district, or possibly to a family residence in a district. The Amhoff surname is believed to have originally referred to the specific location from where a family originated. This is an occupational name, as many members of the Amhoff family would have worked as administrators in pringial districts.
The Amhoff family tree is believed to have dated all the way back to the late 15th century, having originated in the south-western German state of Baden-Württemberg. At the time, it was predominately a rural area with a small, concentrated population, meaning that many families shared the same surname but could be unrelated.
In the modern era, the Amhoff name is primarily regarded as a distinctive German surname, although it can be found in other countries due to immigration, varying spellings, and other sources.
Given the long history of the Amhoff family, it is associated with many prominent experts and professionals, including politicians, artisans, scientists, military personnel, and artists in the past and reaching to the present day. This large family also has strong ties to many other areas of life, including the church, music, dance, agriculture, education, and other pursuits.
Overall, the Amhoff surname has a strong sense of tradition and character that has been passed down through the generations. It is a proud and honorable name, reflecting a long and story-filled ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisAmhoff: Where does the name Amhoff come from?
The Amhoff surname is most commonly found today in Germany and some surrounding countries like the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Slovakia. The name is thought to have originated in Lower Saxony, Germany and is associated with the area's bravery and tradition. The name is likely derived from the German word "amhoff" which means brave.
In Germany, families named Amhoff can be found primarily in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. The majority of the Amhoffs living in the United States are believed to have descended from German immigrants who moved to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin during the early 19th century. Additionally, some Amhoffs today live in parts of Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand.
Overall, the Amhoff surname has a long and illustrious history. The many Amhoff families that still exist today are a testament to the initial groups of German immigrants who moved abroad and found a new home in these far away places.
Variations of the surname Amhoff
The surname Amhoff is a German patronymic surname, derived from the given name "Amal", a medieval personal name of Old High German origin. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Amhoff include Amal, Amalfe, Amalff, Ameliaff, Emhoff, Emmyhoff, Amhoffer, Ameloff, Emaloff, and Ameliaff.
Amal is the oldest form of the surname, and found in records from medieval Germany. During the Middle Ages, when a person without a surname was needed to distinguish different branches of a family, a patronymic was often used. Amal was derived from the personal name Amal, meaning "work".
Amalfe is a diminutive form of Amal, which was used as a suffix to distinguish a family member from his male ancestors, for example Amal the Small. It is thought to have originated in the 14th century and was widely used in Germany at the time.
Amalff is a variation of Amalfe, and was used to differentiate between branches of the same family. It is thought to have originated in the late 17th century.
Ameliaff, a variation of Amalff, is thought to have been derived from the Latin name Americus. It was popular in Germany in the 18th century.
Emhoff and Emmyhoff are variants of Amhoff, and found mainly in records from the US in the 19th century.
Amhoffer is the German version of Amhoff, and was mainly used in the 19th century.
Ameloff and Emaloff are variants of Amhoff, and found mainly in records from Germany in the late 19th century.
The surname Amhoff is derived from an ancient personal name from Old High German. Over time, variations and forms such as Amal, Amalfe, Amalff, Ameliaff, Emhoff, Emmyhoff, Amhoffer, Ameloff, and Emaloff have developed as the name spread through different countries and regions.
Famous people with the name Amhoff
- Kelly Amhoff: Kelly is a former professional American football running back who played for the Arizona Cardinals.
- David Amhoff: David is an Emmy award-winning media executive who is currently president of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers.
- Curt Amhoff: Curt is an American politician who served in the Ohio Senate from 2009 to 2010.
- Edward L. Amhoff: Edward is a former American diplomat who was appointed ambassador to Nepal in 2006.
- Scott Amhoff: Scott is a mixed martial arts fighter who has competed in several top promotions, most recently Bellator MMA.
- Lee Ann Amhoff: Lee Ann is an American photographer whose work focuses on portraiture and the natural environment.
- Tim Amhoff: Tim is an American professional baseball player who plays as a pitcher for the Colorado Rockies.
- Bob Amhoff: Bob is an American stuntman who has worked on several high-profile films, such as Mad Max: Fury Road, and The Hunger Games series.
- Walt Amhoff: Walt is a retired professional wrestler and promoter who has worked in the National Wrestling Alliance and the World Wrestling Federation.
- Chuck Amhoff: Chuck is a former state representative in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1998 to 2006.