Surname Olthoff - Meaning and Origin

Olthoff: What does the surname Olthoff mean?

The surname Olthoff is a Dutch patronymic name, indicating that the bearer of the surname is the son or descendant of an ancestor named Olth. This patronymic naming tradition is a common practice found in many cultures throughout Europe.

The word "Olth" and its variants is of probable Anglo-Saxon origin and likely refers to a term meaning “ancestor.” This suggests that the original ancestor of the surname was of Saxon descent. It is also possible that the name derived from the Germanic word “Ald,” meaning “old,” which was used in some areas to refer to a respected elder such as an ancestor.

Surnames derived from a patronymic tradition often reflect the heritage and culture of a particular region. In northern Europe, patronymic names are believed to indicate the regional descent of the family. In the Netherlands, Olthoff is considered to be a Frisian surname, indicating that the family likely originated from the northern Dutch region of Friesland.

Over the centuries, the surname was likely changed and modified somewhat in different regions, so that Olthoff variants can be found in other countries across Europe, such as Germany and Poland. Regardless of the variations, the surname is thought to be derived from a common ancestral name with the meaning “ancestor.”

Olthoff: Where does the name Olthoff come from?

The last name Olthoff is a Dutch patronymic surname derived from the given name "Olthof" or "Olthoff". It is most commonly found in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In the United States, the last name Olthoff is most common in the Midwest and New York among people with Dutch ancestry. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 population estimates, there are just over 6,000 people in the United States with the last name Olthoff, making it less than one in every 100,000 people.

In the Netherlands, the last name Olthoff is most common in Friesland, the northernmost province. According to the Dutch Central Bureau for Genealogy, the last name is among the one hundred most common last names in the Netherlands. The most populous cities where the name is found are Amsterdam, Groningen, and The Hague.

In Germany, Olthoff is found mainly in the states of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Belgium, the surname is more common in the northern provinces of Flanders and East Flanders.

Overall, the last name Olthoff is most common in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, but exists all around the world. It is a relatively rare name within the United States but still has a presence in the Midwest and New York.

Variations of the surname Olthoff

The surname Olthoff can have several different variants, spellings and surnames derived from the same origin.

The most commonly used variant are:

* Olthoff

* Olthoffe

* Oelthof

* Oelthoff

* Olthova

* Olthoffen

* Oelthausen

There are other less common variants like:

* Olhof

* Uelthof

* Ulthof

* Ueltof

* Oeltjen

* Oelterhausen

* Oelten

* Oelte

* Uthoff

The surname is derived from the Germanic personal name "Aldolf", composed of the elements "ald", meaning old, and "wolf", meaning wolf. The initial combination of these two elements eventually changed into "Olthoff" in the early 1800s.

The surname is primarily found in the United States and Germany, although it is found in other countries as well. The early spellings of the surname Olthoff are found in various regions of Germany, such as the North-Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony regions. Later variants of the surname were most likely passed on to other regions by movement of people during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Given its Germanic origin and variations, variants of the surname have been used in other countries as well, notably in Dutch territories. Common Dutch spellings of the surname include "Olthof", "Uelthof" and "Ulthof". Olthoff can also be found as "Oelte" in Denmark and Norway.

In conclusion, the surname Olthoff has many different variants, spellings and surnames from the same origin. These variants can be found all over the world, but are mostly concentrated in the United States, Germany and Dutch territories.

Famous people with the name Olthoff

• Brad Olthoff: professional baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays
• Sander Olthoff: YouTuber and Voice Actor
• Marten Olthoff: Dutch professional football player
• Danielle Olthoff: professional soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars
• Eric Olthoff: Unicyclist and stunt performer
• Stephen Olthoff: Australian rules football player
• Gigi Olthoff: Professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter
• Edwin Olthoff: Dutch broadcaster and host of RTV Hallo West
• Chris Olthoff: Professional snowboarder
• Rob Olthoff: Star of the Cheetah Girls 2 movie

Other surnames

Olthof