Surname Ockenfuss - Meaning and Origin
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Ockenfuss: What does the surname Ockenfuss mean?
The last name Ockenfuss is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word "ocke" meaning "ear" and the German word "fuss" meaning "foot." This surname can imply a great hearing ability, as someone with "keen ears like feet." It is particularly associated with the area around the town of Nieder-Weisel, in the district of Lauterbach, in Germany, where it is thought to have originated.
The Ockenfuss name was first found in the 13th century and was related to the nobility of the area. In the mid-14th century, members of the Ockenfuss family held a hereditary office in the household of the Count of Hanau and were among the more influential citizens of this region.
The Ockenfuss family bore a shield with a black and silver checkered pattern, divided by two red cross beams. This crest was symbolic of the loyalty and strength of this distinguished family and heralded the “ears like feet” reputation.
Today, the surname Ockenfuss is still common in Germany and there are many clans still bearing the name. Many have gone abroad, particularly in the Americas. Those who bear the name can be proud of their lineage and its long-standing presence among the German nobility.
Order DNA origin analysisOckenfuss: Where does the name Ockenfuss come from?
The last name Ockenfuss is most commonly found in Germany. This surname is an archaic German variation of the more common Eckenfuß, which literally means “corner foot” in German. Ockenfuss may also be spelled Eckenfuss or Eckefuß. Data from the late 1800s reveals that the Ockenfuss surname had a primarily German presence at that time, with the majority of individuals bearing this name living in Bavaria and Prussia.
More recent records indicate that the most populous regions for Ockenfuss are, in descending order, Bavaria, Rheinland-Pfalz, Berlin, Baden-Wurttemberg and Lower Saxony. These regions coincide with the historical areas where many Germans have migrated over time, particularly from the more rural agricultural areas to larger cities.
As the German population has increased and spread out around the world, the Ockenfuss surname has began to appear in other countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil and Australia. However, this surname continues to be most prominent in Germany, where it has been in existence for centuries.
Variations of the surname Ockenfuss
The surname Ockenfuss has many variants that are primarily derived from the German language. The most common variants include Akenfuss, Ackenfuss, Okenfuss, Ackenhus, Aukenhus, Okenfuss, Ogkenfuss, Okenhus and Oggenhus. These variants can also have regional variations, like Aechenfus in the Palatinate and Eckenfuss in Weimar.
The spelling of the surname has also changed over time. Variants such as Akenfoos, Okensfuss, Ackenfoos, Ekenfuss and Okenfuse have all been documented in historical records.
Although the name is not widely found in North America, it has many surnames of similar origin. In the United States, some of these include Ackenhaus, Ackerman, Akerman, Akenhus, Oxenfhaus and Oxenhaus. In Canada, the spellings are seen as Achenhaus and Ochenhauser.
In some cases, the Germanic origin of the name is so faint that the spelling variant is a matter of individual or regional preference. German-American families may prefer the spelling Ockenfuss, while other attested variants are seen in other parts of the world.
Regardless of the spelling variant chosen, the original pronunciation of the name is neuter and will remain consistent across all variants.
Famous people with the name Ockenfuss
- Olga Ockenfuss, German diplomat
- BodOckenfuss, German painter
- Jakob Ockenfuss, German astronomer
- Karola Ockenfuss, German politician
- Jan Ockenfuss, German actor
- Johannes Ockenfuss, German linguist
- Fritz Ockenfuss, German physicist
- Erich Ockenfuss, German conductor
- Sigi Ockenfuss, German sculptor
- Nico Ockenfuss, German artist