Surname Neuhoff - Meaning and Origin
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Neuhoff: What does the surname Neuhoff mean?
The Neuhoff surname is of German origin, with the earliest records of usage of the name appearing during the late 15th century. The name is derived from a geographical place, Neuhof, located in Prussia in the southwestern area of what is now Germany. It is believed that thebearers of the Neuhoff surname were people who originally came from Neuhof and adopted the name as a way of identifying their descent from it.
The literal translation of the name means 'new farmstead,' likely referring to the idea that this once-small village and its inhabitants had to start from scratch and build anew what was to become a prosperous village. Alternatively, the name could also have been derived from two German words: 'neu' meaning 'new' and 'hoff' meaning 'courtyard'. Thus, Neuhoff could then mean 'new courtyard' or 'new location.'
In the present day, those individuals bearing the name Neuhoff can be found living in numerous countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, Canada, and the United States. Those with the name Neuhoff may also be found maintaining strong family ties with other families with the same name, as well as families related to the original Neuhoff families who have spread out over the past few centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisNeuhoff: Where does the name Neuhoff come from?
The last name Neuhoff is most commonly found in Germany and parts of central Europe today. It is particularly common among the states of the former German Democratic Republic, particularly Saxony. It also appears in parts of the Netherlands that were ruled by Prussia, and in some cases is found in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Neuhoff is an occupational surname, describing someone who was a "Neuheufer" which translates to "new shoemaker". It is derived from the German word "neu" meaning new and "hoeffer" meaning shoemaker. It was given to either those who were trained in the craft of making new shoes or those who opened a shop to sell new shoes.
The Neuhoff surname is thought to have first appeared in central Europe during the 13th century and spread during migration patterns over the centuries. It can be seen in records tracing back to the 1500s in Germany, and is still used to this day, although with many spelling variants. Due to its geographical origin and distribution, it can often be assumed that someone with this surname is of German descent.
Variations of the surname Neuhoff
The surname Neuhoff has a variety of origins, spellings, and surnames which are all derived from the same origin. In some areas of Germany the spelling is Neuhof, Neuheff, Neuhaeff, Neuhauf, Nehuoff and Neyhoff. The name is believed to have derived from the German language and carries various meanings, such as ‘new court’ or ‘new farm’. It is also believed that the name ‘Neuhoff’ may have originated from the Jewish surname of ‘Naiman’, but this is unconfirmed.
In some forms, the surname has been found to take the following variants: Neuhuff, Nuehuff, Nuehof, Nuhe, Neuhaeffel, Neuahoff, Neuhagel, Neuhacter, Neuhall, Neuhaus, Neuhaw, Neuhache, Neuhoffenschmitt, Neuhorn, Neuhorter, Neuhome, Neuholf, Neuhutz.
In England, it is quite common to find the surnames ‘Noughton’, ‘Newhoff’, and ‘Newport’, which are all believed to be derivatives of the same German name. In the United States, the name can also be found under the variants ‘Neuhalf’, ‘Newhoff’, and ‘Newhall’.
Despite the speeling variations, variants, and surnames which may be derived from the origin of the name Neuhoff, the meaning behind each of them mostly originates from the ancestor’s geographic locations within Germany, along the border of the Rhineland and Bavaria. In most cases, the name is an indicator of someone’s family ties to Germany.
Famous people with the name Neuhoff
- Albert Neuhoff: German lawyer and politician who served as a Member of the German Bundestag from 1998 to 2013.
- Dave Neuhoff: American professional wrestler and manager during the 1980s.
- Hans Neuhoff: Swiss-born photographer who documented post-WWII Germany and the German economic miracle. 4.Heiko Neuhoff: German cartoonist known for his satirical comics.
- John Neuhoff: American politician who served as a Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011.
- Sarah Neuhoff: German historian and author who specializes in the history of Nazi Germany.
- Werner Neuhoff: German-born cellist and composer who lived in Brazil from 1962 onwards.
- Zach Neuhoff: American actor who appeared in the television series Ugly Betty, The O.C. and Grey’s Anatomy.
- Paul Neuhoff: German Olympic athlete who competed in track and field and cross-country running events.
- Friedhelm Neuhoff: German diplomat and Ambassador to the United States from 1998 to 2002.