Surname Berghoff - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Berghoff: What does the surname Berghoff mean?
The last name Berghoff is of German origin. It literally translates to "mountain court" or "mountain farm" from the German words "Berg", meaning mountain, and "Hof", meaning court or farm. This name likely originated as a topographic surname for someone who lived on or near a mountainous farm or who was from a mountain village. It could also be derived from a place called Berghoff in the region of Westphalia in Germany. Nowadays, it is a relatively rare surname and is most common in Germany, followed by the United States and Canada. Berghoff is also the name of a famous restaurant and brewery in Chicago, which originated from a German immigrant family carrying this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisBerghoff: Where does the name Berghoff come from?
The surname Berghoff is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German term "berg" meaning "mountain" and "hof" meaning "farm". This suggests that the original bearer of the name likely resided or worked on a farm in the mountains or highlands. The name is believed to have originated in the Westphalia region, known for its highlands and mountains. Today, the Berghoff surname is not highly common, however, it can be found more frequently in Germany, in particular, North Rhine-Westphalia. Berghoff is also found in the United States, due largely to German immigration, with a concentration in states such as Illinois and Ohio. The name is also associated with the famous Berghoff Restaurant in Chicago, established in 1898 by a German immigrant, Herman Joseph Berghoff. The distribution of the Berghoff surname is relatively sparse, reflecting the common trend of surname dispersal following patterns of emigration and immigration.
Variations of the surname Berghoff
The surname Berghoff has German origins and is derived from the terms "berg" which means mountain and "hof" which means farm or yard. This surname could have commonly been used among families that lived on, or near a mountain farm. This locational surname has several variations depending on the regional dialect, phonetics and cultural influences. Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for Berghoff might include Bergoff, Berghof, Bergohf, Berghofer, and Bergofer.
Such surnames could also be written differently based on pronunciation in different countries or regions such as in the Netherlands it could be written as "Bergof" or in Scandinavia as "Bergov". Some other variations through history could include Berghoeff or Berghov, although these are not commonly seen. Finally, another variation could be Burghoff, altering the 'e' to a 'u', yet maintaining a similar phonetic sound and origin. The surname is relatively rare and most popular in Germany and the United States. It is best known from the famous Berghoff Brewery in the United States.
Famous people with the name Berghoff
- Herman Berghoff: Known as the founder of the famous Berghoff Restaurant in Chicago. He was also a German immigrant and a well-known brewer who launched the iconic Berghoff Beer.
- Carlyn Berghoff: Carlyn is a third-generation owner and CEO of the legendary Berghoff Company and the Berghoff Café, following in the footsteps of her forefathers. She is a celebrated author, having penned cookbooks that include 'The Berghoff Family Cookbook' and 'The Berghoff Café Cookbook'.
- Herman Joseph Berghoff: Noted as the brother of Herman Berghoff, he worked alongside his brother to develop the Berghoff Beer brand in the United States.
- Lara Jill Berghoff: She is known for her work on L.A. Story (1991), The Spectacular Now (2013) and Made in America (1993).
- Arthur “Art” Berghoff: Art is a great-grandson of the original founder, and he has served on the board of directors for the Berghoff Company. Once a college basketball player at Loyola University in Chicago, he is known to many for his passion for basketball coaching for the youth in the community. Please note that information on individuals with the Berghoff last name may not be plentiful as it's a less common surname.