Surname Oppenhoff - Meaning and Origin
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Oppenhoff: What does the surname Oppenhoff mean?
The last name Oppenhoff is of German origin, derived from the German word "Offen" which means "open". This would suggest that the original bearer of the last name may have been a "gatekeeper" of some kind, responsible for opening the gates of a town or a castle or perhaps the gates of a business or the main entrance of a home.
The German word Oppen is also related to the word "Oppenheim", which is a German town. This suggests that the original bearer of the last name may have been from or associated with the town of Oppenheim, located near the Rhine River in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
It is also possible that the Oppenhoff last name may refer to someone who was related to a set of gates or a "portal" of some kind, or perhaps a person who was responsible for opening and closing the gates of a castle or a home. This could also refer to a manor house or house that is located near a castle or similar structure.
Today, the Oppenhoff last name is commonly used as a surname throughout Europe and in places like the United States. It is still associated mainly with Germany, and is often used as a surname in that country. Other countries, such as Italy, may also have variations of this last name.
Order DNA origin analysisOppenhoff: Where does the name Oppenhoff come from?
The last name Oppenhoff is primarily found in Germany and the Netherlands today. It is a German surname which originated from a nickname meaning someone who lived in an "open court" or courtyard. It is also possible that the surname may have derived from an area name, derived from Low German.
In Germany, the surname Oppenhoff is historically concentrated in the regions of Saxony and Westphalia. It can also be found in the East Frisia region, which is now part of the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
In the Netherlands, the surname Oppenhoff is primarily concentrated in the western province of Zeeland. This region was historically part of the German-speaking region of West Flanders, which is why the surname Oppenhoff is found there.
The Oppenhoff family has an ancient history, stretching back to the 15th century in Germany. It is likely that the family name migrated to the Netherlands with Germanic migrants and has been in the region for centuries, probably since the 16th century.
The surname Oppenhoff remains present in both Germany and the Netherlands today, although not always in large numbers. It is also present in small numbers in some other countries around the world, such as the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Oppenhoff
Oppenhoff is a German surname of topographic origin. The name is derived from the German words "Oberhof" (upper court). The name refers to one who lived in or near an Upper Court in early times.
Variants of this name include Oppenhoeff, Oppenhoefer, Oppenheffer, Oppenhofer, Oppenhoof, Oppenhoven, Oppenhuber and Oppenhuller.
Spellings of the surname Oppenhoff include Oppenhoof, Oppenhoever, Oppenhoefen, Oppenhoven, Oppenhoffen, Oppenhoffer, Oppenhopfen, Oppenhoffen and Oppenhofen.
Surnames of the same origin as Oppenhoff include Oberhof, Oberhofer, Oberhoff, Oberhoof, Oberhueffer, Oberhotz, Oberhuber and Oberhuller.
Oppenhoff is an uncommon surname with most of its bearers living in Germany, although some families with this surname have migrated to the United States, Canada and other countries. The earliest known bearer of this name was Konrad Oppenhoff, who lived in 15th century Germany. Over the centuries, several notable people have carried this surname, including a German lawyer and politician from the 19th century.
Famous people with the name Oppenhoff
- Johannes "Hanns" Ludwig Oppenhoff (1917–1945): German lawyer and resistance fighter against the Nazi regime.
- Ursula Oppenhoff (born 1955): German actress and voice artist.
- Magnus Oppenhoff (born 1972): German graphic artist.
- George Oppenhoff (1842–1919): German American publisher and philanthropist.
- Valerien Oppenhoff (1855–1932): German American lawyer.
- Kurt Oppenhoff (born 1947): German politician.
- Charles Ross Oppenhoff (1876–1951): American attorney and reciever of U.S. industrial properties.
- Neil Oppenhoff (born 1966): American television writer, producer and showrunner.
- Friedrich Oppenhoff (1881–1954): German economist and professor.
- Petri Heikki Oppenhoff (born 1962): Finnish psychoanalyst and professor.