Surname Inhofer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'I'
Inhofer: What does the surname Inhofer mean?
The surname Inhofer has German and Austrian origins. It is derived from Middle High German, and translates to mean “in the oven.” It is a topographic name that was used to describe people who lived near an oven. It is possible that the surname was first used to refer to someone who owned, operated, or lived near a bakery.
Today, the Inhofer surname is found mostly in Germany and Austria, although some individuals with this surname can be located in other areas of Europe. It is believed that the name first appeared in Medieval records in Bavaria and Prussia, where individuals with the name made references to a bakery or oven-maker.
Inhofer is a fairly rare surname, and is considered to be one of the oldest in Germany and Austria. It is associated with an independent spirit and creativity, with those bearing the name often being independent thinkers with entrepreneurial attitude. The surname is associated with hardworking, ambitious, and enterprising individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisInhofer: Where does the name Inhofer come from?
The last name Inhofer is most commonly found today in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It may also be found in neighboring countries such as the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. The origin of the name can be traced back to the Middle Bavarian region of Germany, with records of the Inhofer family showing up in this area in the 13th century. The name is derived from the German phrase "in der hohle," which means "in the hollow." There is also evidence of members of this family living in other parts of Europe including Italy, France, Spain, and even the United Kingdom.
In more recent times, the Inhofer name can be found scattered throughout the United States as well, with records of families bearing this name dating back to the late 19th century. There may also be instances of families with the Inhofer name in other parts of the world such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In terms of numbers, there are currently more than 4,200 people in Germany and over 400 people in the United States with the last name Inhofer. In Austria, that number is close to 500 and Switzerland is home to about 100 people bearing the Inhofer name. While these numbers are not incredibly large, they do demonstrate that the Inhofer name is still in use today in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Inhofer
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Inhofer are:
- Inhofer: This is the most common spelling of the surname, originating in the German language. It can also be spelled 'Enhofer' or 'Inhoffer'.
- Inhoffer: This variant of the Inhofer surname originated in the French language. It is sometimes spelled as 'Inhoefer' or 'Inhoffer'.
- Enhofer: This variant of the Inhofer surname also originates in the German language. It can also be spelled Enhoffer, Enhoffer, or Enhoefer.
- Enhoferl: This variant of the Inhofer surname originates in the Swiss German language. It is sometimes spelled Enhofferl or Enhofferl.
- Enhouwer: This variant of the Inhofer surname originates in the Dutch language. It can also be spelled as Enhoewer or Enhouwer.
- Bohlender: This variant of the Inhofer surname originated in the Low German language.
- Boelender: This variant of the Inhofer surname also originates in the Low German language.
The surname Inhofer has a long and rich history, dating back to the 15th century when it first appeared in Bavaria. It is believed to have developed from the Middle High German word "inhuf", which means "in the hof" or "on the hof" (meaning on the court or estate). Over centuries, the Inhofer family spread throughout northwest Germany and evolved different spellings and variants depending on the language spoken in the region.
Famous people with the name Inhofer
- Fritz Inhofer (1938–1995), German actor, author and journalist
- Peter Inhofer (born 1941), German author, journalist and publisher
- Valerie Inhofer (born 1971), German-American author and business executive
- Carina Inhofer (born 1975), German actress and singer
- Katharina Inhofer (born 1987), German fashion model
- Andreas Inhofer (born 1988), Austrian actor
- Max Inhofer (born 1995), Austrian actor and singer
- Mario Inhofer (born 1999), Austrian rower
- Bernhard Inhofer (1923–2010), German physicist and professor
- August Inhofer (1873–1941), Swiss painter