Surname Talhofer - Meaning and Origin

Talhofer: What does the surname Talhofer mean?

The last name Talhofer is a German toponymic surname derived from Talhof, a residence or farmstead located in areas of the former Holy Roman Empire. It means roughly "dweller at the hill farm". The surname likely originated during the medieval era, when the country was divided into many small fiefdoms and farmers had to name their dwellings after their own properties. During this time, a Talhofer referred to someone who resided near or owned a particular farm, and the name stuck as people moved throughout German lands.

The Talhofer family have proven to be highly influential over four centuries, producing a number of distinguished military officers, statesmen, and members of the nobility. The most notable member of the family is Johann Heinrich Talhofer von Walbeck, a Prussian cavalry officer of illustrious pedigree who fought in the Seven Years' War. He was well known for his charitable acts and assistance to others in need, a contribution that led to him being elevated to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1763.

Today, Talhofer is a relatively uncommon surname, with its modern-day bearers mostly residing in the German-speaking countries. The name serves to honour the remarkable legacy of the Talhofer family and it is likely that many of the name's current incarnations remain unaware of their distinguished ancestral history.

Talhofer: Where does the name Talhofer come from?

The last name Talhofer is thought to have originated in the part of the former German Empire that is now the Czech Republic. Today, the last name Talhofer is most common in the Czech Republic and surrounding Central European countries such as Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

The Czech Republic had no last names prior to the 1850s. During this period, German-speaking settlers of the region increasingly adopted last names for bureaucratic and census purposes. Many of the settlers took on surnames derived from locations such as towns, regions, or landmarks. This is believed to be the origin of the name Talhofer, which is derived from Talhof, an old term referring to a special type of farm estate.

Today, Talhofer, is still one of the more common surnames in the Czech Republic, especially in Prague and other bigger cities. It can also be found in other Central European countries, such as Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. Talhofer is a relatively uncommon surname in other parts of the world, although it does appear in places such as Israel and Brazil, where there are sizable Czech diasporic communities.

Variations of the surname Talhofer

Talhofer is a German surname believed to have first been documented in the Middle Ages in the former Kingdom of Bavaria. It is a patronymic surname derived from the personal given name “Talhoffer,” meaning “talhof” or “tall house.”

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

Talhofür

Tallhofer

Talhöfer

Talföhrer

Alternative spellings include:

Talhoffer

Talhoefer

Talhöffer

Tallhöfer

Talhaufer

Surnames with similar spellings and origins include:

Thomasaufer

Tallhaur

Telfer

Täufel

Tölle

The Talhofer surname is relatively uncommon but can be found in various countries around the world. It can also be found in the United States under various spellings. It can be used to trace an individual’s family history or ancestral roots. The alternate spellings and variants can help to uncover where the name originated from, as well as other names which may have branched out from the same surname.

Famous people with the name Talhofer

• Hans Talhoffer: A 15th century fencing master widely renowned for his fencing treatise, the fechtbuch (fencing book).
• Monika Talhofer: An Olympic cyclist from Germany. She represented her country at the 1992 Summer Olympics and finished fourth in the Women's Individual Road Race.
• John Talhofer: An American sculptor, painter, and architect from Illinois. He is best known for his public sculptures such as the bronze Wabash River Memorial in Indiana.
• Maria Talhofer: A German contemporary painter known for creating large-scale abstract paintings on canvas.
• Alex Talhofer: A Canadian hockey player who has won multiple championships with the youth team in Ontario.
• Daniel Talhofer: A Dominican Republic soccer player who plays in the Liga Dominicana de Fútbol.
• Jack Talhofer: An American singer, songwriter, and composer. He is known for his love songs, such as "Let's Make Love Again".
• Hans-Peter Talhofer: An Austrian politician who served as the Minister of Public Security from 1994 to 2000.
• Günther Talhofer: An Austrian Army Officer who was awarded the Iron Cross I and II Class during World War II.
• Kenny Talhofer: An American basketball player who currently plays for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA.

Other surnames

TalhofTalhoff