Surname Middelhof - Meaning and Origin
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Middelhof: What does the surname Middelhof mean?
The last name Middelhof is a Dutch last name most likely derived from a location name. In Dutch, “middel” translates to middle and “hof” means courtyard - meaning the original bearer of this name likely lived close to a courtyard in the middle of a town or village. This Dutch surname is particularly common in the provinces of Noord-Holland and Gelderland, both in the Netherlands.
The Middelhof family is believed to have originated in the forementioned provinces, where they lived for many generations. Many migrated to other parts of the world, spreading the name as far as Germany, Belgium, the United States and Canada. Today, there are many thousands of people worldwide who share the Middelhof last name.
The Middelhof surname has been used to honor a notable Dutch celebrity. Dutch filmmaker Willem Middelhof, born on April 8, 1924 left his lasting mark on Dutch culture. His films included “Babysitzen”, “The Thirth War” and “Combe” among others which earned him a total of four Golden Calf awards, two awards from the Netherlands Film Festival and multiple international film awards.
Although its original origins lay in the Netherlands, today the Middelhof last name can be found all throughout the world and is a reminder of the people’s ability to travel and migrate, and to carry their history and culture with them around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMiddelhof: Where does the name Middelhof come from?
The last name Middelhof is most commonly found in the Netherlands, but it's also found in other parts of Northern Europe and in parts of the United States.
In the Netherlands, Middelhof can be found in the provinces of Gelderland, Overijssel, Utrecht, and Groningen. It's also found in smaller cities and villages throughout the Netherlands, including Dutch municipalities such as Amersfoort, Ede, and Nijmegen. In addition, Middelhof appears in the cities of Putten, Raalte, Steenwijk, and Uden.
Middelhof is also found in Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, as well as in Nordic countries such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. In the United States, Middelhof is found in the Midwest and in some parts of the Northeast, primarily across states such as Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
The Middelhof surname can also be traced to the Netherlands in the early 19th century and is thought to be derived from the Dutch words “midden” and “hof,” which mean “middle court.” The name could have originated from the family living in a middle court in a larger village and later spread as family members moved to new locations.
Variations of the surname Middelhof
The surname Middelhof is of Dutch origin, first recorded in Amsterdam in the sixteenth century. It is derived from the Dutch 'Middel' meaning middle and 'Hof' meaning court, indicating either a locality or a person living near a court or something to do with a court. Variations of the surname include Middlehaufe, Middelhaufe, Middelhoef, Middelhoeve, Middelhof, Middelhofe, Middelhoff, Middelhoft, Middelhoven, Middenhof and Middelhove.
The anglicized forms of the surname have plenty of other variants. These include the versions Midhauf and Midhaufe. The more modern spelling of the surname is typically found spelled as Midelhoff or Middelhoff, while the Dutch form is spelled as Middelhof or Middelhoft.
Other variations of the surname that are still found in the Netherlands include Middelkerke, Middelberg, Middelburg, Middenhoff, Middenhof, Middehove, Middelhoven, Middelhove, Midhauf, Midhaufe, Middelhofi, Middelhuf and Middelhofe. With the prevalence of overseas migration, the spelling has evolved and adapted to other languages. As a result, there are Midelhofas, Miedelhofs, and Middelhaffs with German origins, Middlehorvs and Midelhorps with Norwegian origins, and Miedelhoff with Portuguese origins.
Regardless of the spelling, most of the surnames mentioned relate back to the same Dutch root and ultimately connote a place where a court was located. Therefore, anyone bearing one of these surnames can draw some comfort from the knowledge that they all trace their roots to the same place.
Famous people with the name Middelhof
- Mick Middlehof: independent animator and director of animated short films.
- Melinda Middlehof: professional Dutch football player who is currently playing for VV Alkmaar in the Eredivisie Vrouwen.
- Matt Middlehof: line producer, production manager, and director of photography who has worked on projects such as Sex and the City and The Greatest Showman.
- Erik Middlehof: professional Dutch football player who plays for NAC Breda in the Eredivisie.
- Geoffrey Middlehof: Dutch professional footballer who is currently playing for Excelsior Rotterdam.
- Stephanie Middlehof– Dutch Olympic swimmer who won the Bronze medal in the 400 m freestyle in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
- Sjoerd Middlehof: Dutch field hockey player who competed in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
- Travis Middlehof: professional Dutch soccer player who currently plays for SC Cambuur in the Eredivisie.
- Maurice Middlehof: Abe Lenstra Stadium founder and president of the SC Heerenveen football club in the Netherlands.
- Rolf Middlehof: Dutch independent film director, producer, and screenwriter who has worked on films such as Heksen bestaan niet (2009) and Slootkind (1999).