Surname Nothhoff - Meaning and Origin

Nothhoff: What does the surname Nothhoff mean?

The last name Nothhoff is of German origin, originally denoting someone from northern Germany. The name itself means ‘north field’, deriving from the German words ‘Nord’ meaning north and ‘Hof’ denoting a field or homestead. In addition to its northern German roots, this name is also associated with northern Dutch or Flemish people.

Nothhoff appears on records from as early as the 18th century, along with other variant spellings such as Nothof, Noffhoff and Nofoff. Historical records indicate that the Nothhoff family were typically farmers, living off the land and raising livestock. These farmers would work their land which would often be close to the sea, meaning they were also used to life at sea.

The Nothhoff surname can still be found in northern Germany today, with people having the Nothhoff name coming from much farther afield as people moved from north Germany to other countries. People with the Nothhoff name are known for their hard work and perseverance, greatly contributing to the development of the area they were living in. This sentiment is still alive today, with people with the name Nothhoff still displaying their resilient and driven spirit.

Nothhoff: Where does the name Nothhoff come from?

The last name Nothhoff is most commonly found in Germany, as it is a German surname. It appears to also be found in small amounts in other countries, such as the United States and Canada.

This name is derived from a combination of the old German words "noth" which means "need," and "hof" which means "courtyard." It is assumed that this version of the name developed as a toponymic surname for people who lived in an area where need was more present than most.

In Germany, the name is especially common in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Niedersachsen, located in the northern parts of the country. It is also found to some extent in Denmark.

In the United States, the last name Nothhoff appears in small numbers in states such as Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

The largest concentration of people with this name in Canada is in Ontario.

The Nothhoff name is a common German one, and while it is found in other countries, it is not as widely spread as in Germany.

Variations of the surname Nothhoff

The surname Nothhoff is generally believed to be of German origin. It is sometimes anglicized as Notthoff, Nothoff, Nothoff, Nothof, or Nothoffen. Spelling variations of this name include Notthof, Nothoffen, Norhoff, Norhoffen, Nachthoff, Nachthoffen, Nothoffen, Nutthoff, Notthoff, and Notthove.

Nothhoff is a well-known German surname, tracing its history to medieval times. The earliest records of this name mention Adam Nothoff, recorded in 1360 in the city of Essen. The surname then followed a line of noble families, who were prominent German landowners and military officers: Niclas Nothoff, knighted in 1387, and Conrad Nothoff from Solingen in 1579.

In modern times, the Nothhoff family is spread worldwide. Because of its numerous spelling variants, it is often difficult to trace the exact family line. Records show the name is found in Germany, the USA, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands. Today, the name is associated with prominent scientists and scholars, as well as distinguished athletes, including cyclist Gijs Nothoff and football player Nol Nothoff.

No matter its spelling variant, the surname Nothhoff points to a family line of proud heritage and illustrious achievements.

Famous people with the name Nothhoff

• William Nothoff: German World War I U-boat commander.
• John Nothoff: American artist and art teacher.
• Richard Nothoff: German jurist and academic.
• Bob Nothoff: American hockey player.
• Hanno Nothoff: German journalist and political editor.
• Joseph Nothoff: American Roman Catholic bishop.
• Theodor Nothoff: German architect.
• Wilbur Nothoff: American illustrator.
• Ludwig Nothoff: German opera singer and composer.
• Roland Nothoff: German film director and editor.
• Johannes Nothoff: German music theorist and composer.
• Konrad Nothoff: German banker.
• Bruno Nothoff: German Lutheran pastor and theologian.
• Karsten Nothoff: German ski jumper.
• Guido Nothoff: German actor.
• Werner Nothoff: German philosopher.

Other surnames

Nothhof