Surname Opdenhoff - Meaning and Origin
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Opdenhoff: What does the surname Opdenhoff mean?
The last name Opdenhoff is of German origin. It is derived from the German term “Oph den Hoff,” which roughly translates to mean “at the court of the count.” This term can be traced back to the days of the medieval nobility, when counts served as important and influential figures in a region.
The Opdenhoff surname is still found in many European countries, including Germany, Austria, and some parts of the Netherlands. It is typically associated with noble bloodlines, though there is no clear consensus on how far back the lineage extends. It is likely that the surname has been in use for centuries, perhaps even predating the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
The term “Opdenhoff” has also been adopted by several notable families over the centuries. In Holland, for example, the famous sniper Jelle Opdenhoff is said to have descended from a long line of Opdenhoff noblemen.
Today, the surname is still found among many European families, often indicating that the family has a noble background or some other ancient European heritage. Despite its noble roots, however, the name is not limited to any social class, and is used by individuals from all walks of life.
Order DNA origin analysisOpdenhoff: Where does the name Opdenhoff come from?
The last name Opdenhoff is commonly found in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland today. It is particularly popular in Nordrhein-Westfalen, a region located in the north of Germany.
Opdenhoff is more than likely a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the given name of an ancestor. It is made up of two Germanized words: “op” meaning “over” or “on,” and “den” meaning “the”, with the suffix “hoff” which is derived from the German word for a person’s home, or “hof.” The combined word thus translates as “over the hof”, possibly referring to a person who lived over or near a hof, or manor. The other possible origin of the name could be from a profession, likely one involving wood, such as a carpenter - the “op” could be a contraction of the Dutch or German root “hobel,” which means “to plane”, or “to smooth”.
The Opdenhoff family has most likely been in Germany, Austria, and some of Switzerland for centuries and so the surname has a long and proud history in those countries. It is currently particularly popular in Nordrhein-Westfalen and among many other German-speaking people across the world.
Variations of the surname Opdenhoff
The surname Opdenhoff is derived from the German and Dutch meaning “of the meadow.” It is an occupational surname given to those who worked with or used meadows and fields. Some of the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Opdenhof, Opdenhoef, Oppendheff, Oppendhauff, Oppendhauf, Oppenhoff, Oppenheff, Oppenhef, Opdenhove, Oppengoff, Oppenhauff, Oppenhoef, Opendahaef, Opendahaef, Opdenhauve, Opdenhauven, and Vopdenhoff.
The surname can also be found spelled as Opdenhal, Opdenheer, Opdenhael, Opdenhaal, Opdenhalen, Opdenhoven, Opdenhauve, Opdenehauf, Opdenhauff, Opdenheuven, Oppenhal, Oppenhel, Oppenhaal, Oppenhael, Oppenhoven, Oppenhoef, Oppenhof, Oppendyi, Oppenhauff, Oppenhoer, Oppendhauf, Oppendheff, Oppenhaele, Oppenhaem, Oppenhaen, Oppenhoven, Oppenmah, Opdenhav, Opdenhoff, Opdenhoen, Opdenhohl, Opdnhauf, Opdnehauve, Opdenehauven and Uopdenhoff.
Common variations of the name in other countries include Au operneau, in Belgium; Oppenheim, in Switzerland; Opdenhövel, Oppenhelm and Opdenhöfer, in Germany; and Opdenhövel, Oppenhof, Oppenheuvel, Opdenhof and Opdenhöfel, in the Netherlands.
Many of the descendants of the Opdenhoff surname can be found throughout the world today. The surname is most common in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Opdenhoff
- Baroness Ruth von Opdenhoff: German entrepreneur, Co-Chairwoman of Viva con Agua
- Dr. Michael Opdenhoff: German politician, former Minister of Justice of North Rhine-Westphalia
- Ferdinand Opdenhoff: German doctor and politician, former Member of Parliament of Lower Saxony
- George Christopher Opdenhoff: 19th century German painter
- Judge Charles C. Opdenhoff: 19th century judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana
- Helga Opdenhoff: German writer, translator, and editor
- John J. Opdenhoff: American politician (Ohio)
- Melchior Preuß Opdenhoff: German Catholic priest
- Oscar Wilhelm Opdenhoff: German psychiatrist and founder of the Opdenhoff Institute
- Paul Opdenhoff: German theologian