Surname Hoefels - Meaning and Origin
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Hoefels: What does the surname Hoefels mean?
The last name Hoefels is a German surname that is derived from the Old High German word “hovefilz” which means “horseman” or “rider”. This surname is typically found in the southwest corner of Germany and throughout the countryside of the Rhineland.
The first recorded use of this name was in the 12th-century when di Hoefe, a knight of the Teutonic Order, was killed in a skirmish. This is documented in the ‘Codex Manesse’ which is an illustrated medieval songbook.
The name Hoefels could also be derived from the German word “höfeln” which means “to measure” or “to measure grain” which could refer to a farmer or a miller.
This surname spread across Germany and eventually to other countries as well. It was found in Belgium, USA, Australia, and Canada among other countries.
People with the last name Hoefels generally take pride in their heritage and have a strong sense of family. They are often descendants of farmers, riders, or warriors from centuries ago who adopted this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisHoefels: Where does the name Hoefels come from?
The last name Hoefels is commonly found today primarily in Germany and other German-speaking countries. Hoefels is derived from the Middle High German words "hovels," meaning "the head of the house," and originally referred to a head of a noble family. Over time, the name spread geographically and became more widespread throughout Europe.
In modern times, the name Hoefels has been found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and other German-speaking countries such as Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. In the U.S., the name Hoefels is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and California.
Today, the name Hoefels is an uncommon but recognizable name in many parts of the world. It is a unique name with a long and distinguished history. Although the name is not the most common, those who bear it are proud of its interesting roots and many generations of Hoefels who have lived before them.
Variations of the surname Hoefels
The surname Hoefels is of German origin and has a few common variants, alternate spellings, and associated surnames.
The primary and most common variant of the Hoefels surname is Hoefel. This spelling is found throughout Germany and is also used by many immigrants who anglicized the name upon arriving in English-speaking countries.
Related surnames to Hoefels include Hoffels, Hoffel, and Hoffles. These spellings are most commonly found in the Rhineland region and Southern Germany.
Other variants of the surname Hoefels include Hoefling, Hoeflin, Hoeflinger, Hoepfel, and Hoepfler. Again, these spellings and surnames are prevalent in Germany, particularly in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
Immigrants to English speaking countries often changed the spelling of their surnames in order to more easily fit into their new country. Spellings such as Hofel, Hafel, Heavens, Haefel and Haffel were all common alternate spellings of the Hoefels surname adopted by individuals when entering new countries.
Finally, there are several surnames from other countries that are associated with the origin of the Hoefels name. Variants such as Heffels, Hayfils, and Hoffeis are found in the Netherlands, Heufels in Luxembourg, while Heyfels and Hufels are found in Austria and Switzerland.
Whether a variant of the Hoefels surname found in Germany, in other European countries, or as a result of an individual changing the spelling to better fit into a new culture, the various spellings, variants and surnames of Hoefels are all related to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Hoefels
- Fred Hoefels: notable American surgeon and transplantologist
- Kurt Hoefels: former American basketball coach
- Guido Hoefels: former German handball player
- Nathalie Hoefels: Dutch sailor and world champion
- Pia Hoefels: former German tennis star
- Steven Hoefels: American jazz saxophonist
- Willem Hoefels: Dutch graphic artist
- Lutz Hoefels: German evolutionary biologist and professor
- Norman Hoefels: American former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings
- Marlies Hoefels: German art director and theater manager