Surname Looft - Meaning and Origin

Looft: What does the surname Looft mean?

The last name Looft is of German origin. It is believed that the name was originally derived from the Germanic word for "farmstead." This type of name was particularly popular in the area of northern Germany, and it was adopted by many families who moved to different regions and countries throughout Europe.

The exact origins of the Looft name are not known, but it is thought that the name was taken on by families who lived on a farm or in a rural area. This type of name could also represent a place, such as a village or a small settlement. Additionally, the name could have been taken on by a family from a particular town, as many Germans used the town's name as a surname.

The Looft surname is not a particularly common one, but there are still a few instances of families with this name recorded in Germany and other European countries. While the exact origin of the name is unknown, it is still believed to be derived from the Germanic word for "farmstead." It is a testament to the persistence of families and their traditional roots.

Looft: Where does the name Looft come from?

Today, the surname Looft is most typically associated with Northern Germany and the Netherlands. In Germany, the name is most common in the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Niedersachsen, and Hamburg. It is estimated that there are over one thousand individuals with the last name Looft living in Germany alone.

Outside of Germany, the surname is especially common in the Netherlands, especially in the province of Limburg. The Dutch census of 2015 estimated that there were over 350 people living in the Netherlands with the last name Looft.

The surname is known to have traditionally been associated with farming, as part of the vast agricultural heritage of the countries of Northern Europe. However, today people with the last name Looft hold a wide variety of occupations across a range of industries.

Overall, the surname Looft is most commonly associated with Northern Germany and the Netherlands. While the name has a long agricultural heritage, the occupations of those who bear the name have become much more varied in the modern day.

Variations of the surname Looft

The surname Looft may be spelled differently in various genealogical and historical records, but the main variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are Loof, Looff, Loff, and Löff.

Loof is the most common variant of the Looft surname, and is derived from an old Dutch and Low German surname Luv, meaning ‘law’. This spelling of Looft is found in Dutch, German, and Scandinavian records.

Looff is another variant of the Looft surname, and is also found in German, Dutch, and Scandinavian records. The spelling may also appear slightly altered as Luft, Luf, Luef, Louff, and Loff. This variant of Looft is derived from the Dutch word loef, meaning ‘prow’ or ‘stern’ and was a toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a peak or hilltop.

Loff is a variant of Looft found in Dutch, German, and Scandinavian records. This surname often appears as Löff, and is derived from an old Germanic personal name composed of the elements lod and frid meaning ‘rule, peace’.

The surname Looft is also occasionally found used as a borrowed surname. In some records from Finland, the surname has been documented as Loven, which is derived from the Swedish surname Lovén meaning ‘Luo’s son’.

Famous people with the name Looft

• Peder Looft: a Danish cinematographer known for writing and directing projects such as “The Art of Fathering.”
• Alexander Looft: a German-born professional equestrian who competed in major show jumping events around the world.
• Michelle Looft: an American model and actress who appeared in films such as “The Fast and the Furious” and “Ocean’s Eleven.”
• Laura Looft: a Dutch painter who had a solo exhibition at the Villa Roesdorp in Amsterdam in 2016.
• Willem Marissen Looft: a Dutch painter who painted many portraits of prominent people in the Netherlands during the 19th century.
• Robert Looft: a Swedish composer and conductor who created the music for films such as “Where Eagles Dare” and “Fanny and Alexander.”
• Chris Looft: an American drummer who has performed with artists such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and the Dixie Chicks.
• Tim Looft: an Australian diver who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Sander Looft: a Dutch sailor who won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
• John Looft: a Swedish philanthropist and businessman who founded the Looft Foundation which provides scholarships to young entrepreneurs in Sweden.

Other surnames

LoofLooffLoofmann