Surname Dorff - Meaning and Origin

Dorff: What does the surname Dorff mean?

The last name Dorff is of Germanic origin and has various definitions. One of the oldest definitions is found in the 10th century. This definition states that Dorff is derived from an ancient word meaning “village”, indicating a potential origin as a geographic surname. In this context, Dorff would identify someone from a particular village or town.

There is also some evidence that Dorff could also be associated with the Latin “durum”, meaning “hard” or “strong”, and hence would be indicative of a strong-willed or resolute individual. Alternatively, it could mean someone with a particularly tenacious spirit, which could account for the common association with courage and dedication in many ancient societies.

In more modern times, the name Dorff has become associated with a broad range of people. We find individuals related to both trade and industry, those engaged in the sciences, and many in the medical and legal professions. The name has also been adopted as a given name, where it is often used in conjunction with other names to form longer names.

In its various forms, the name Dorff is still a popular one around the world today, and continues to represent courage, strength, and resolution.

Dorff: Where does the name Dorff come from?

Dorff is a surname originally of German origin. It is a common surname today in Germany and Jewish communities throughout Europe, as well as in Israel. Additionally, Dorff is gaining popularity in the United States and Canada, particularly among Jewish immigrants. It can also be found in centrally-located states, like New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio.

The origin of the name Dorff is believed to come from the Germanic word dorf, which can mean “village” or “town”. It was likely adopted by those who either lived in or came from a village. It could also be derived from the Germanic words deor, meaning “deer”; dorren, meaning “dry”; or dorr, meaning “bramble” or “thorn”. The German spelling of the Dorff surname varies, including Dorf, Dörff, Dörf, Dorffel, and Dorffmann.

The Dorff surname is steeped in Germanic history. Friedrich von Dorff, an astronomer based in Prussia (now Germany) in the 17th century, was one of the most celebrated scientists of his time. In 1809, Jewish merchant and banker Moses Dorff founded one of the first Jewish banking empires in Germany. Today, the Dorff name is more commonplace, with an estimated 81,300 people in the United States bearing the Dorff surname, according to data from Ancestry.com.

Variations of the surname Dorff

The surname Dorff is a German name of Jewish origin which can be notably found in various countries, including the United States, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.

There are various alternatives spellings and variants for the Dorff surname. Some of the commonly seen variants of Dorff include Dorf, Dorffman, Dorfman, Dorfmann, Dorman, Dormann, and Derf.

Dorf, Dorman, and Dorffman are the three primary etymologies for the Dorff family name. All these names are derived from the Middle High German term "dorf" which translates to the word “village” or “hamlet”.

The most common alternate spellings of Dorff are Derf and Derff. These spellings are common in the Netherlands and in areas of Germany related to the Netherlands due to the influence of the Dutch language.

The surname Dorman shares a similar origin to Dorff. The surname Dorman derives from the Middle English term "dor" which translates to "gate" or "door".

Finally, surnames Dorfman and Dorfmann also have a similar origin to Dorff. The surname Dorfman is derived from the Middle German term “dorfmann” which translates to “peasant” or “farmer”.

Famous people with the name Dorff

• Stephen Dorff: an American actor, known for his roles in films such as Blade, Backbeat, True Crime, and Somewhere.
• Scott Dorff: an American composer and songwriter with numerous Grammy nominations to his name. He wrote and produced hits such as “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” by Tina Turner, and “The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy and Monica.
• Paul Dorff: a renowned martial artist and stuntman who has worked as a stunt coordinator and fight choreographer in Hollywood films such as The Matrix Reloaded, Kill Bill, and Spider-Man 2.
• Jonathan Dorff: a screenwriter known for his work in films such as The Waterboy, Stan Helsing, and Coherence.
• Stephan Dorff: a German-born artist who works in painting, sculpture, and photography. He has held exhibitions in galleries all over the world.
• Jack Dorff: a Dutch musician and producer, known for helping to compose music for the films Before Sunrise, The Resistance, and Holy Motors.
• Richard Dorff: an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist who pioneered discount brokerage by founding E-Trade.
• Amy Dorff: an American actress and theatre director who has appeared in films such as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
• Michael Dorff: a musician and producer who has worked on albums by artists such as Mariah Carey and the Backstreet Boys.
• Brooke Dorff: an American entrepreneur and co-founder of the digital media company, Style vigorously.

Other surnames

DorfDörfelDorferDörferDörfertDörffelDorfferDörfferDörfflerDörfflingDörfflingerDorffmannDorffmeisterDörffnerDorfhuberDörflDörfleDörfleinDorflerDörflerDörflingerDorfmannDorfmayrDorfmeierDorfmeisterDorfmeyerDorfmillerDorfmüllerDorfmundDorfner