Surname Altenhofen - Meaning and Origin
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Altenhofen: What does the surname Altenhofen mean?
The last name Altenhofen is of German origin. It was derived from the Middle High German words alte and hofen, which mean 'old' and 'court' respectively. In other words, Altenhofen is a toponymic surname, meaning 'the old court'.
The older form of the surname was Altmhofen and was likely of northern-German origin. It first appeared in records in the late 1400s, originating from the Altmühle district, located in the Werra River Valley in what is now part of Hesse, Germany. In the 18th century, this spelling had evolved into Altenhofen.
During the Middle Ages, the Altenhofens likely owned many farms, fields and woodlands in the Altmühle Valley. This area was primarily rural, and the Altenhofens' status thus enabled them to take advantage of the rich agricultural land there, as well as to benefit from trade.
Today, Altenhofen is still a common last name in Germany. It's also found in various other countries, particularly those with large numbers of German immigrants. It is a symbol of the family's past strength and success, as well as its unique origins.
Order DNA origin analysisAltenhofen: Where does the name Altenhofen come from?
The last name Altenhofen is most commonly found in Germany today. It is an uncommon surname though, with its origins dating back to medieval times. The name is derived from two Middle High German words in which “alte” translates to “old” and “hove” means “courtyard.” From this it can be gathered that it likely referred to a family that lived near or within an old courtyard.
The Altenhofen family first appears in various records in Lower Saxony, which is located in Northern Germany, in the 1300s. Today, it is found in numerous parts of Germany, primarily in the same region in which it originated. Family names are typically passed down within a family, so if someone with the last name Altenhofen comes from Lower Saxony or the surrounding area, it is likely of medieval origin.
Though its popularity is still quite low, there have been small increases in the number of people with the last name Altenhofen reported in recent records. The growth is likely to be due mainly to recent immigration, as the surname is incredibly rare in other countries outside of Germany. Though the Altenhofen family has since scattered over the centuries, it’s likely that there are still some people living in Germany who share this unique last name.
Variations of the surname Altenhofen
The surname Altenhofen is derived from Old German and refers to an old, fortified farmstead. The spelling of the surname can vary somewhat depending on the region, but the most common variations include Alterhofen, Altendorf, and Alterhoffen. It may also be encountered in the form Aldenhofen, Aldendorp, and Aldenhoffen.
Aldhofen, Auldhofen, and Aaldhofen are all variants of the Altenhofen surname, though of Dutch origin. Deldhofen and Delhofen are of German origin, as are the alternate spellings Tallenhofen, Tallendorf, Talhoffen, and Talenhoffen.
Altenau, Altenow, Altnow, and Altnau may also appear, as well as Allentown, Allenton, and Allinton, which all originated in Germany. There are also English variants, Altman, Alderman, Ellman, and Ellerman, which may have derived from the Dutch spelling of Altenhofen. Other possible variations are Olde Hofe, Alte Haufen, and Allenhofen, which could represent a family’s location of origin.
In addition to these surnames of similar origin, several families may take on variants of the same name through marriage or adoption. For example, Altenhofen may become Altenhoff or Altenhoffer. Likewise, it may also be changed to become Allaben, Allenburt, Aleynhoff or Althen. Other variants may include Althoff, Allinghofen, Alinghoff or Allhoff.
The great variety of surname spellings and variations make tracing one’s genealogical roots even more challenging. However, when attempting to determine the origin and etymology of a surname, there are certain resources one can utilize, such as genealogy books, websites, and online databases, which can be of help in uncovering the history and different spellings associated with the Altenhofen surname.
Famous people with the name Altenhofen
- Jeff Altenhofen: Former American professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB).
- Tyler Altenhofen: United States Air Force Captain and decorated pilot, honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross in 2011.
- Paul Altenhofen: Former American professional baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB).
- Judy Altenhofen: American extra and actor who appeared in the film Psycho 2 in 1983.
- Louis Altenhofen: American historian and author from Pennsylvania who wrote a variety of books dealing with the American Revolution.
- Hans Altenhofen: German classical musician who was a renowned cello professor and known for his many achievements in the musical world.
- Ric Altenhofen: Former professional baseball player and manager and coach in Major League Baseball (MLB).
- Dale Altenhofen: American stage and film actor who written and starred in the feature film The Major and the Minor in 1942.
- Jack Altenhofen: American painter, draftsman, sculptor, and ceramic artist from Vienna, Austria.
- Lorraine Altenhofen: American author of contemporary fiction and short stories, known for her work on the novel A Gun In The House.