Surname Midderhof - Meaning and Origin

Midderhof: What does the surname Midderhof mean?

The last name Midderhof is of Dutch origin, derived from the Middle Dutch word "miderhove," meaning "middle courtyard." This was likely given to those living in a section of a larger village, or to those living in the yard surrounding a larger patch of buildings.

Midderhof was likely a habitational surname adopted by those living in the courtyard or estate, and by the late 16th century the name was common throughout modern-day Netherlands. Those with this surname may have lived near or worked for a manor or a large estate during the time when the use of last names was adopted as surnames by the general population.

Midderhof is still a common name in the Netherlands, being primarily found in the regions of Nord-Holland, South-Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel, Friesland, and Drente. This shows the migratory effect of this surname, and may also provide clues to those researching their Midderhof ancestors further.

Today, many people with the name Midderhof still live in the Netherlands, and the surname is recognised within the Netherlands as a typically Dutch surname. The Midderhof name lives on, demonstrating the long and proud history it has in the Netherlands.

Midderhof: Where does the name Midderhof come from?

The last name Midderhof is common today in the Netherlands, primarily in the provinces of Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel, and parts of Flevoland and Drenthe. The Netherlands has a long history filled with diverse people, and the Midderhof family is believed to have originated in Drenthe, one of the northern provinces of the country. The family is believed to have moved to other parts of the Netherlands, and even beyond, during the mid-1800s.

Given the long history of the Midderhof family, the name is also prevalent in other areas such as Germany, Canada, the United States, and even Australia. It is believed that the name may have reached Canada as early as the mid-1900s through the migration of Dutch immigrants. In the US, Midderhof is mainly concentrated in California and Washington state, while in Australia it is common in the states of New South Wales and Victoria.

In the Netherlands, the largest concentrations of people with the name Midderhof are currently in the city of Utrecht, followed by the provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland. This indicates that many members of the family have remained in the area of origin, while others have moved to other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Midderhof

The surname Midderhof is derived from a Dutch toponymic surname, derived from a place name at the edges of a wood or forest area. The variants of this surname include Middelhof, Middelhoven, Middelhoff, Midhof, Midhoff, Mesterhof, Midderhoff, and Mederhoff.

Middelhof is a Dutch toponymic surname and appears in records in the Flanders region of present-day Belgium. The name literally means ‘the middle of the forest’ or ‘the clearing in the middle of the forest’ in the Middle Dutch language.

Middelhoven is a variant of Middelhof and is most common in the Dutch regions of the Netherlands and Flanders. This surname originated from a place name near the border between the two countries. It is thought to have been derived from the Middle Dutch word hoven meaning “uncleared forest”.

Middelhoff is a variant of Middelhof which appeared in records in the Westphalian region of present-day Germany. It is derived from the Middle Dutch word hof which translates to “overgrown field”.

Midhof and Midhoff are two closely related variants of Middelhof found in records in the Gelderland region of the Netherlands. The latter is a diminutive form of the former.

Mesterhoff and Midderhoff are two related variants of Middelhof which are common in the Dutch regions of Friesland and Groningen. The former is derived from the Middle Dutch word mester meaning “to master”.

Mederhoff is a variant of Middelhof which is common in the Dutch region of Limburg. It is derived from the Middle Dutch word meder meaning “meadow” or “clearing surrounded by trees”.

Famous people with the name Midderhof

• Maria Midderhof-van der Sluis: a Dutch track and field athlete
• David Midderhof: Australian Olympic swimmer
• Geert Midderhof: a Dutch painter
• Sjoerd Midderhof: a Dutch film and television producer
• Lottie Midderhof: a Dutch illustrator
• Robert Midderhof: a Dutch film producer
• Jean Midderhof: a Belgian football player
• Paul Midderhof: a Dutch Paralympian
• Heidi Midderhof: a Dutch novelist
• Jan Midderhof: a Dutch sculptor

Other surnames

Midderhoff