Surname Backof - Meaning and Origin
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Backof: What does the surname Backof mean?
The last name Backof is an occupational surname which originated from the German language. It describes an individual who may have been a tradesman or worker who had a back forge or ‘’schmied’’. This is a type of workshop that produces metal items usually with the help of a furnace.
The word 'Backof' can also refer to a person who is involved in the construction of furnaces, usually in an industrial setting. This could be for producing tools, metals, etc.
The surname was likely derived from the word ‘becken’, meaning forge, as well as the suffix ‘-of’ which can mean someone who is actively knowledgeable in that area of expertise.
It is possible that this last name originated from 17th century Germany, explaining why its roots lie in the German language. It may have then spread to other countries as people tried to find new job opportunities in different places.
Today, the last name of Backof is not extremely popular and is fairly rare. It is mostly found in areas with a German-speaking population. Outside of this, it can be found in the U.S., Canada, Netherlands, and other places.
Overall, the last name of Backof has an interesting origin story and is linked to the German word becken, which translates to ‘forge’. It is likely that the surname was used to identify someone who specialized in producing items from metal and furnaces. It has since spread and is mostly found in German-speaking countries, although there are some examples of it in other places, too.
Order DNA origin analysisBackof: Where does the name Backof come from?
Backof is a common name today, especially in Europe with some bearers in America.
It is believed to be of Germanic origin and may have been derived from the Old German "bacher" or "bachert" meaning "farmer". It also may have been derived from the Old German "backer" which means "baker".
The name is most prevalent in Germany, where it is the 32nd most popular surname, according to German government statistics. It is also popular in Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, Croatia and Scandinavia.
In America, Backof mainly exists among families from German or Austrian heritage, many of which trace back to a single immigrant ancestor who brought the name with them.
The exact number of people with the Backof surname today is difficult to estimate, but it likely numbers in the thousands. It's possible to find Backof bearers across the globe, with all the regional variances which such a migration implies.
It is easy to trace individuals who share the same surname living in a variety of countries, using websites such as familysearch.org and ancestry.com. Establishing the exact geographical origin of the name is often complicated, however, as many people with the same surname may originate from diverse places.
Variations of the surname Backof
The surname Backof has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these are Backhoff, Bäckhöfer, Bachof, Bäkhoff, Bäckhoff, Bakhoff, Beckhoff, Backhöfer, Baeckhoff, Bäckhöfer, Bechoff, and Bachhoff.
Backof is a German name that is derived from the word ‘bachhöfe’, which means ‘house near a stream’. It was originally a part of a house name, and indicated that the family resided near a stream or a small lake. The name is generally associated with the Rhine region in Germany, with records of its use dating back to the 12th century.
The name is also known to be found in countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium. Additionally, it is also found in American records, with the spelling variations varying amongst the different countries.
Variants like Backhoff and Bakhoff, are also derived from the German language, and are used mainly in the Netherlands and Belgium. Meanwhile, Beckhoff and Bechoff derive from variants of the same name, with a variation in spelling being noticed, mainly within German-speaking countries.
The last name Bäckhöfer, is derived from the German word ‘bäch’, which means small stream, and ‘höfer’ which means a small village. This is one of the most common spellings in Germany, and is mostly used within Germany and certain parts of Europe.
In conclusion, The surname Backof has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Backhoff, Bäckhöfer, Bachof, Bäkhoff, Bäckhoff, Bakhoff, Beckhoff, Backhöfer, Baeckhoff, Bäckhöfer, Bechoff, and Bachhoff, which are mainly used in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and other parts of Europe. Some of its derivatives are derived from the German language, while others have slight spelling variations in other countries.
Famous people with the name Backof
- Denise Backof: American actress, best known for her role of Mrs. Bartholomew on Nickelodeon’s All That.
- Eva Backof: Estonian architect and interior designer known for her unique usage of elements of modern technology.
- Mike Backof: Former NFL linebacker who played for seven seasons with the San Diego Chargers.
- Joseph Backof: American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District.
- Mariana Backof: Brazilian author and poet best known for her poetry collections Terra Trêmula and As cores do sol.
- Karl Backof: German physicist and mathematician who made significant contributions to the areas of electromagnetic radiation and condensed matter physics.
- David Backof: Entrepreneur and investor, founder of Backof Investments which specializes in real estate and venture capital projects.
- Christian Backof: German comedian and actor known for his roles in television series such as Final Boss and Wer liebt Gottschalk?
- Catharine Backof: American doctor, researcher, and president of the Institute of Health and Human Services.
- Dale Backof: PGA Tour golfer who won the PGA Tour South event in 1978.