Surname Midderhoff - Meaning and Origin
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Midderhoff: What does the surname Midderhoff mean?
The last name Midderhoff is a German-origin surname. The elements making up the name are "Midder", meaning “middle”, and "Hoff", meaning “yard". Thus, it is believed to have initially referred to a person from a settlement located in the middle of a large yard or open field. Over time, Midderhoff may also have derived from a nickname given to someone who lived in the middle of a town or village, as the word “Mittel” (meaning middle) is also common in German-origin surnames.
The earliest known record of the Midderhoff surname was in Germany's Upper Palatinate region in the mid-1700s, when the family was known to be living in St. Maugeth, Bavaria. From there, the Midderhoffs spread to other parts of Germany, as well as to other countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In recent years, Midderhoff has become a popular last name in Germany, with many individuals proudly carrying on the family name. It is also starting to become more recognized in other countries, as increasing numbers of families with German-origins emigrate overseas. In the United States, for example, many Midderhoffs have settled in the Midwest and Pennsylvania, with a few even residing in New York City.
Overall, the Midderhoff surname is steeped in history, referring to a single family who left Germany in search of a better life and ultimately created a legacy that continues today.
Order DNA origin analysisMidderhoff: Where does the name Midderhoff come from?
The last name Midderhoff is most likely of German or Dutch origin and is a relatively uncommon surname today. There are approximately 240 people across the world with the last name Midderhoff, although most are found in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States.
In Germany, the last name is most prevalent in the state of Lower Saxony, where there are approximately 150 reported cases of it. The largest concentration of Midderhoffs, however, is found in the small city of Zeven in Lower Saxony, where roughly half of the German Midderhoffs live.
In the Netherlands, there are about 75 instances of the last name. Like in Germany, it is most commonly found in the northern province of Noord-Holland. This province's capital, Amsterdam, is home to roughly a quarter of all Midderhoffs in the country.
In the United States, the last name is even rarer. Only about 10 people with the last name are currently living in the country, spread out across several states.
Overall, the last name Midderhoff is becoming increasingly rare, especially outside of Germany and the Netherlands. As time goes on, it is likely that this name will continue to diminish in numbers, and eventually be forgotten altogether.
Variations of the surname Midderhoff
The Midderhoff surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. Most variant spellings of Midderhoff are Mederhoff, Midderhof, Midderhoffe, and Mudderhoff. Spellings similar to Midderhoff include Miderhoff, Mudderhoffe, Mitderhoff, and Mudderhoff.
The origin of the Midderhoff surname is from a Proto-Germanic language and from the old German "mider" meaning "middle" and "hoff" meaning "court" or "manor" or “farm”. Thus, the name is derived from those early settlers who lived in the middle court of a larger property.
Surnames with the same origin include Miederhoff, Mudderhoff, Myderhoff, and Meiderhoff. These surnames can be found in Germany and other German-speaking countries. The variations of the surname can also be found in Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.
In countries with German-speaking influence, the length of the Tri-focal surname (Miederhoff, Mudderhoff, Myderhoff, and Meiderhoff) can also vary from one generation to another. In some states, rules on spelling and surname length may add or alter suffixes based on rules of the state. For example, in Germany, the the Dymanic Tri-Focal Surname rule states that the suffix “off” is removed and replaced with “hoff” or “hof” when it is used a third time.
Overall, the Midderhoff surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. The surname is of Proto-Germanic origin and is derived from those early settlers who lived in the middle court of a larger property. It can also be found in countries with German-speaking influence with variations due to rules on spelling and surname length.
Famous people with the name Midderhoff
- Kim Midderhoff: Kim is a former set decorator who has worked on films such as "Groundhog Day," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," and "Garden State."
- Mark Midderhoff: Mark is a former professional baseball player who played for the San Diego Padres in the 1990s.
- Thomas Midderhoff: Thomas is an acclaimed wildlife photographer and author, known for his photography and writing about rare species of birds.
- Carl Midderhoff: Carl is an architect and interior designer who has built important works such as the Hotel Carriage House in Las Vegas.
- Stacie Midderhoff: Stacie is a former professional surfer, known for her competitive career and her successful coaching career.
- John Midderhoff: John is the president and CEO of the Midderhoff Group, a financial services firm.
- Willem Midderhoff: Willem is a Dutch sculptor and painter, known for his abstract sculptures and surrealistic paintings.
- Gordon Midderhoff: Gordon is a former professor at Rutgers University and an expert in American culture and literature.
- Nathaniel Midderhoff: Nathaniel is an art collector and philanthropist who is best known for his support of various charities.
- Rita Midderhoff: Rita is a former editor of the New York Times who has won numerous awards for her work.