Surname Imhoof - Meaning and Origin
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Imhoof: What does the surname Imhoof mean?
The last name Imhoof is an old Germanic surname believed to have originated in the early Middle Ages. The Imhoof name is derived from the German im Hof, which means “in the court.” This name was likely originally given to someone who worked in or served at a court (e.g. a servant, a guard, a chamberlain, a scribe etc.). It could also have been given to someone who lived in or owned a house near a royal court.
The Imhoof name is widely spread throughout Switzerland and is most prominent in the canton of Vaud. A strong presence of the name is also found in the United States, especially in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
The Imhoof name is thought to have begun being used by Germanic people in the middle of the 9th century, when Zollern, a noble family from Swabia, migrated to Switzerland and was granted land in the canton of Vaud. The Zollern family not only brought with them political power, but also their family name, Imhoof, which eventually spread throughout the region.
The Imhoof family is dedicated to preserving its Germanic heritage and passing on traditional values to future generations. There are now a number of programs and initiatives in place to help families learn about their roots and to help new generations understand the importance of their surname and family history.
Order DNA origin analysisImhoof: Where does the name Imhoof come from?
The last name Imhoof is most commonly found in Switzerland and Germany today. It originated from Switzerland and was used to identify people who were part of the same family, as the name suggests – Imhoof meaning ‘of the same’.
It is an ancient surname that first appeared in written records during medieval times, in which the earliest existing records date back to the 13th century in Switzerland. It was most popular during the 17th century when more records began to appear, and the name spread to different regions of Europe. Today, the Imhoof name is most commonly found in western Germany (particularly in the area of Rhineland-Palatinate) and in the cantons of Switzerland – Basel-Land, Basel-Stadt, Ticino, Solothurn, and Zurich.
It is not common to find the Imhoof name outside of these areas. An exception would be in the United States of America, as many emigrants from Switzerland and Germany brought the name with them when they settled in the US. Today, one can still find a few Imhoofs in the states of Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin primarily.
Variations of the surname Imhoof
The Imhoof surname has different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variations of the surname include Imhöfer, Ihmufer, Immufer, Immhoof, Imhoff, Imhof, Immhofer, Imhofer, Imhof, Imhuf, and Ihmöfer.
The origin of the Imhoof surname is German. Imhoof is derived from the Middle High German tri-element word "im” (at, near), "hoh” (hill or small mountain) and “vogel” (bird). The Imhoof name literally means "at or near the bird hill". It is likely that the first bearer of this name was someone who lived near a hill frequented by birds.
The Imhoof surname can be found predominantly in Switzerland, specifically the German-speaking region of Switzerland. Some members of the Imhoof family emigrated to other parts of Germany and to other European countries as well, including the United States and Canada.
Though the spelling of the name has changed over time, the Imhoof name is still found today and has spread to other parts of the world. Members of the Imhoof family can still be found in Switzerland, Germany, the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Famous people with the name Imhoof
- Niko Imhoof: Swiss actor, director, and scriptwriter.
- Markus Imhoof: Swiss film director, actor, screenwriter, producer, and professor.
- Priska Imhoof: Swiss geographer and climatologist who has worked on sustainable development and environment policies of the canton of Bern.
- Wolfgang Imhoof: German immunologist and Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
- Hans Imhoof: Swiss geographer and climatologist.
- Sarina Imhoof: Swiss actress, director, and screenwriter known for her roles in productions such as Hangar 10 and Bangarang.
- Kurt Imhoof: Swiss artist and architect who has produced a range of works from sculpture and furniture to design and restoration.
- Max Imhoof: German ophthalmologist known for his research and practice in the field of cataract surgery and ophthalmic pathology.
- Christoph Imhoof: Swiss opera director, actor, music educator, art historian, and theater manager.
- Aaike Imhoof: Belgian composer and musician from the Antwerp area.