Surname Lohoff - Meaning and Origin
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Lohoff: What does the surname Lohoff mean?
The last name Lohoff is a German-origin surname meaning “wolf” and is derived from the Old German word Lobo. This type of surname, also known as a “sign name” or “weather name” is one of the many descriptive surnames common throughout Germany. The surname arose independently in several regions of Germany and migrated to other countries with subsequent generations. It was most prevalent in the north and southwest parts of Germany near the Dutch border.
The name has never been particularly common, yet it is widely spread throughout the German states and in the German-speaking countries of Europe. Most of the bearers of the name live in the Austrian part of Tyrol, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.
Historically, the Lohoffs were associated with numerous areas of skill and practice. They were involved in agriculture, animal raising, forestry, carpentry, and blacksmithing. Some members of the family were also professional packers, traders, and warriors. Many earned a living as merchants, peddlers, and travelers, while others had more specialized occupations. In some parts of the United States, the Lohoffs were found to be involved in manufacturing and trade.
Throughout time, the Lohoffs have developed a strong sense of community and pride in their heritage. Although they excelled in a variety of endeavors, they remain fiercely loyal to their family roots and traditions. Over the centuries, the name has come to represent a strong sense of tradition and humility even in the face of difficult times.
Order DNA origin analysisLohoff: Where does the name Lohoff come from?
The last name Lohoff is most commonly found in Germany and the German-speaking countries. Within Germany, the highest concentrations of the name are in the northwestern states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Hamburg. Lohoff is also found in Austria and Switzerland, as well as in parts of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.
The surname likely has Germanic origins, derived from the Middle High German word "lohof" meaning "forest". In old German times, Lohoff was a common nickname for a person who lived in a forested area or was involved in the forestry industry.
Today, the Lohoff name is also found in several other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia.
Interestingly, Lohoff is a relatively rare family name, with the most recent rankings by surname showing it as the 24,793rd most popular family name in the United States. It is also the 56,877th most common surname in the United Kingdom and the 6,984th most common name in Germany.
However, its rarity may have increased in recent years, as more people have migrated from Germany and other German-speaking countries to other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Lohoff
The surname Lohoff has a variety of spellings and variants, some of which are related to different geographical origins.
The most common spelling is Lohoff, which is of German origin. This spelling first appeared in the records of the Rhineland in 1210 and is probably a derivative of the German word ‘Leuchten’ meaning ‘to shine’ or ‘shine brightly’. It is mostly found in northern Germany.
The variant spelling Lohoffe is also German and appears as early as the 16th century in the archives of Westphalia. This spelling is probably derived from the same root word as Lohoff, but with the added suffix ‘-fe’, meaning ‘little’. The variant spelling Lohfile also exists and could be an adaptation of this original name.
The Dutch form of the surname, Lohof, is likely to be derived from the German, and is mostly found in the southern part of the Netherlands.
The German version Lohou is derived from the Latinised form Lohowes, probably a corruption of Lohoff.
The English spelling of Lohoff is Leahuf. This surname was most likely adopted following the Norman Conquest of 1066 and is a common spelling throughout England and much of Europe.
Other related surname variations include Lauhoff, Lohov, Logoff, Lohe, Lohen and Lohf.
In conclusion, the surname Lohoff has many variants, spellings and associated surnames, which likely have their origins in a variety of different countries.
Famous people with the name Lohoff
- Christa Lohoff, German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
- Marinus Lohoff, Dutch footballer and defender.
- Edwin Lohoff, German ice hockey player.
- Horst Lohoff, German footballer.
- Wolfgang Lohoff, German painter, graphic designer and sculptor.
- Marc Lohoff, German rugby union coach.
- Ben Lohoff, American chef and restaurateur.
- Jan Lohoff, Dutch actor and comedian.
- Andrea Lohoff, German film producer.
- Bernd Lohoff, German lawyer and mediator.
- Jeffrey Lohoff, American businessman and entrepreneur.
- Friedrich Lohoff, German politician and member of the Free Democratic Party (FDP).