Surname Zenthöfer - Meaning and Origin
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Zenthöfer: What does the surname Zenthöfer mean?
The last name Zenthöfer is of German origin, derived from the German word zent, meaning center, and the word höfer, meaning farmer. This suggests an ancestral connection to a farming family at the center of the village.
Throughout medieval Germany, many villages were built around a church or other central point, such as a meeting house, which typically served as the village center where carts stopped and people congregated to trade or celebrate.
As such, the surname Zenthöfer suggests an ancestral connection with a family that likely owned a farm at the center of a village and held a prominent position in the community.
This surname could also be derived from more than one word, with the second part of the surname höfer possibly being derived from the German word hof, meaning court, and therefore could indicate an ancestral connection to a family that owned a court or estate and served as local administrators.
In any case, the surname Zenthöfer suggests an ancestral connection with a prominent family at the center of a German village or estate.
Order DNA origin analysisZenthöfer: Where does the name Zenthöfer come from?
The last name Zenthöfer is most commonly found today in the German speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is a fairly common name in those countries, but its origin and meaning are not easily decipherable. It appears that the surname is derived from the Middle High German words zain ("visit") and höfer ("landowner") and could be a sign of early medieval landowning status.
Despite its obscurity and origin, the surname Zenthöfer has been connected to quite famous figures throughout history. The first recorded mention of a Zenthöfer was in 1277--Johann Zenthöfer of Oberallgäu, Germany. Later, a Hans Zenthöfer took part in the Peasants' War in 1523–1524.
Another famous Zenthöfer was Dr. Matthaeus Zenthöfer, a prominent 16th century religious and law reformer, who initially opposed the Reformation but contemporary historians believe he later recognized its good in the German people.
In more modern times, the surname is particularly associated with Johannes Zenthöfer, a famous German composer born in 1757. He was known for his baroque-style compositions, including the famous opera "Ariadne" and the oratorio "Basiliensis Regina".
In short, though the name Zenthöfer might not seem to convey a great deal of cultural heritage, it is clearly associated with influential figures throughout German history. Today, it is still a fairly common surname in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Zenthöfer
The surname Zenthöfer, also spelled Zenthofer, is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German words "zint" and "ofer", meaning "foremost" and "edge", respectively. The surname Zenthöfer may have originally referred to someone who lived near the edge of a town or village, or perhaps even on the edge of a forest.
Variants of this name include Zentoff, Zenthoff, Zenthoff, Zentohf, Zentof, Zenhoff and Zenhoef. Several regional variations are also found in spelling, such as Zintof (Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland), Zaentoffers (Lower Bavaria region), Zandthoffer and Zenthófer (Bohemia), Zintaff (Prussia and Hungary) and Zondoff (Silesia).
Themany derivatives of the name Zenthöfer can be found in many countries throughout Europe including Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, and Romania.
Surnames from this root include Zentoff, Zenthoff, Zenthoff, Zentohf, Zintoff, Zenhoff, Zenhoef, Zandthoffer, Zintaff, Zandoff and Zondoff. Many of these variations, as well as regional spellings, will be found in records as far back as the 1400s.
In some cases, the original spelling of the surname is unknown as their roots are often lost over time. However, these surnames are still referred to as Zenthöfer or variants thereof, even though the spelling has evolved into something different.
Famous people with the name Zenthöfer
1. Teo Zenthöfer: Teo Zenthöfer is an Austrian actor known for his performance in the films The Early Years (1970) and Saturday Night Fever (1977). 2.Maja Zenthöfer: Maja Zenthöfer is an Austrian painter and sculptor whose works include the bronze sculpture "Circle of Hell" (1981) and the painting "Takes the Red Pill" (1989). 3.Tobias Zenthöfer: Tobias Zenthöfer is a Swiss-born Austrian theater actor and director whose career has spanned over 30 years. He is the artistic director of the Vienna Filmhouse. 4.Rudolf Zenthöfer: Rudy Zenthöfer was a Swiss Air Force pilot who became an ace during World War II. He was awarded the Iron Cross and was the recipient of several other military decorations. 5.Edmund Zenthöfer: Edmund Zenthöfer is a Swiss architect who is known for his achievements in sustainable design. He has received several awards and accolades, including a nomination in 2018 for the architecture prize awarded by the Bauhaus Society. 6.Anton Zenthöfer: Anton Zenthöfer is a German sportsman who represented the country at the 2006 Winter Olympics. He also competed in bobsleigh and luge. 7.Rudolf Zenthöfer, Jr.: Rudolf Zenthöfer, Jr. is the son of Rudolf Zenthöfer, Sr. He is a Swiss Air Force fighter pilot and has trained at various US bases. 8.Heinz Zenthöfer: Heinz Zenthöfer was a German-born footballer who played professionally for clubs in East Germany, Switzerland, and Turkey. 9.Albion Zenthöfer: Albion Zenthöfer is an American music producer and sound engineer, known for his work with legendary Hip-hop artists such as 2pac and Outkast. 10.Wilhelm Zenthöfer: Wilhelm Zenthöfer was a 19th century German artist and diplomat. He painted several portraits of German royalty and was the Austria-Hungary ambassador to the United Kingdom in the late 1800s.