Surname Höffeler - Meaning and Origin

Höffeler: What does the surname Höffeler mean?

The last name Höffeler is a German-language last name that originates from the German region of Hessen. Its literal translation into English means "Hofferer", which may refer to either someone who makes or sells hats or someone who collects and sells hops.

The word Höffeler is derived from the Middle High German word "hove" which originally meant "a head covering", most likely in reference to hats. This is further solidified by prefix "Hoff", which is related to the German word “Hut”, meaning "hat". It is likely that Höffeler was originally an occupational surname for someone who produced or sold hats.

The secondary meaning for the name is related to the agricultural process of cultivation of Prunus laurocerasus, otherwise known as laurel hops, which are used in cooking. The prefix “Hoff” is related to the German word “Hopfen”, meaning hops. Thus Höffeler may also denote someone who harvests or sells the aforementioned hops.

The name Höffeler carries through today, and many bearers of the name still live in the region of Hessen, with some also appearing in other parts of the world. Although the original meanings behind the name are now largely forgotten, many modern-day Höffelers still retain a sense of pride in their heritage.

Höffeler: Where does the name Höffeler come from?

The last name Höffeler is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. While these areas are the most likely to hold citizens with the surname, it is not uncommon to find individuals with the last name in other parts of the world as well.

The Höffeler surname has Germanic origins, and derives from the word "Hoffer," meaning an individual who is an overseer of land or people.

In the United States, the last name can be found most substantially in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, the 2010 census records reported the name to be the 5,094th most common surname.

In Germany, the surname is far more common. The most recent German census from 2018 reported that the surname was the 1,744th most common name in the country, with an estimated 7,351 individuals taking it.

In Switzerland, the name is also relatively common. The last survey of the nation's top surnames, taken in 2010, found that the name ranked in the 749th spot.

In Austria, the surname is one of the more frequent last names. The most recent survey of the country's top surnames, from 2017, found that the name was the 1,421st most popular name, with an estimated 4,330 individuals taking it.

Given its central European origins, it comes as no surprise that the last name Höffeler is most common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is however, becoming more and more common around the world, so those with the name should be proud of their heritage.

Variations of the surname Höffeler

The surname Höffeler is an occupational name that originated from Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It is a variant spelling of the name Höfler, which is derived from the German word “hofläufer”, meaning a runner of the court.

In German, the surname is spelled “Höffeler” or “Hoffeler”, although it may also be spelled “Höfler” in some areas. In Switzerland, the surname is often rendered as “Höfli”.

The surnames Höfler, Höffeler, and Höfli are all derived from the same root word, yet have been anglicised in other countries. In English-speaking countries, the surname is sometimes spelled “Hoffler”, “Hoffer”, “Huffler”, or “Huffman”.

Throughout Central Europe, other variations of the surname, such as “Hofeller”, “Höfeler”, “Heifler”, “Hieffler” or “Hüffler”, may also occur.

A prominent bearer of this surname is Dr. Johannes Höffeler, a German philanthropist and writer. The name is also borne by the Swiss-born scientist Dr. Andreas Höffeler, who discovered the genetic code for inherited physical traits during the early 20th century.

Other variations of the surname, and the surnames it may be linked to, include Höfflich, Höffling, Höflinger, Hoflinger, Hoffenberger, Hoffelder, Hoffmeister, Holvick, and Holmshead.

In all, Höffeler is an occupational surname with a long, rich history, and numerous variants throughout Central Europe and other regions.

Famous people with the name Höffeler

• Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, also known as Sisi, born Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie Höffeler (1837-1898).
• Max Höffeler (1910-1984), a German botanist who made contributions in the field of economic botany.
• Franz Anton Höffeler (1878-1968), an Austrian entomologist with contributions to the field of social entomology.
• Felix Matthias Höffeler (1869-1918), a German professor of botany at Leipzig and Jena Universities.
• Karl Höffeler (1838-1910), an Austrian mine and smelter inspector and mining engineer.
• Carl Höffeler (b. 1863), a Swiss-born American entrepreneur and explorer who founded the Boulder-White Clouds Alpine Reserve and National Monument in Idaho.
• Hermann Eduard Höffeler (1909-1992), a German theologian and philosopher who made contributions to the field of Silesian religious philosophy.
• Paul Höffeler (1844-1918), a German-Swiss entomologist who described several species of bees.
• Ludwig Höffeler (1867-1939), a German-Austrian mycologist who worked in phytoparasitology and phytopathology.
• Ernst Höffeler (1885-1967), a German architect who designed several important buildings in the city of Würzburg.

Other surnames

Höffele