Surname Lohf - Meaning and Origin
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Lohf: What does the surname Lohf mean?
The last name Lohf is of German origin and is thought to be derived from the German word "Lobh", which means praise or honor. According to some sources, the original spelling of the name was more likely Lobhf, which would have been the closest to its original form.
The name Lohf is estimated to have first emerged during the Middle Ages in Germany. As surnames slowly began to become more widespread, it is likely that the use of the surname Lohf began to be adopted by individuals who showed esteemed characteristics or had some kind of special recognition. It is believed that the families who adopted the surname of Lohf were likely ones of wealth, high standing or education.
Since the name is of German origin, many individuals who carry the last name of Lohf will be of Germanic or European descent. Interestingly, while the name of Lohf has primarily been used by individuals with these backgrounds, the name has also been adopted by individuals of varied racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Overall, the name Lohf is thought to be a representation of esteem and notable character traits, as families likely adopted the name to denote some kind of level of distinction or recognition. As such, many individuals who are now associated with the name Lohf will likely come from a variety of backgrounds, as the name has been embraced and taken on by individuals of many cultural and ethnic heritages.
Order DNA origin analysisLohf: Where does the name Lohf come from?
The last name Lohf is most common today in certain areas of Germany as well as in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In Germany, the Lohf surname is most frequently found in the southern regions of Bavaria, Thuringia, and Lower Saxony. The name is also disbursed further throughout the country in Brandenburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Saxony-Anhalt.
In the United States, the surname Lohf is concentrated mainly in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio, as well as other states such as New York, Michigan, and California.
In Canada, the Lohf surname is found mainly in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.
In Australia, Lohf is primarily found in the New South Wales and Victoria states.
In all these places, the surname is likely of German origin, likely derived from the German word Löwe meaning ‘lion’. It might have also arisen as a nickname for a brave or fierce person, referring to the characteristic of the lion.
Variations of the surname Lohf
The Lohf surname is found throughout Germany, with its root being ‘Loh’, which is taken from the Middle High German term for ‘clearing’ or ‘meadow’. Variants of the name are: Loff, Löff, Loeff, Loef, Loh, Loeh, Lohe and Lauf. Variations of the surname’s spelling include: Lohf, Lauff, Laof, Loaf, Loffe, Loffie, Lohff and even Lehf.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, some of the more common ones include Loefke, Lohmann, Lohe, Lupfer, and Lunemann.
Loefke is derived from Lowenke, which refers to a lion cub. Lowenke may have been a nickname initially, and some of the earliest records of this surname date to the 12th Century.
Lohmann is another name deriving from its root ‘Loh’, which is thought to be of Slavic origin. It is also thought that the name was used to denote the people of an area, rather than being a hereditary surname.
Lohe is similar to Lohf, deriving from the ‘Loh’ root and found in northern Germany. This surname was most popular in districts such as Hanover, Prussia, and Pomerania.
Lupfer, another variation of the Lohf surname, was typically found in areas of western Germany such as Bavaria, Prussia, and Rhineland.
Lastly, the Lunemann surname may have also derived from the ‘Loh’ root, as it was used frequently in this area of Germany during the 15th Century. Lunemann is also derived from ‘Lune’, a word which refers to the waxing or waning of the moon.
Overall, the Lohf surname, in whatever variation it takes, is of German origin and can be traced back to the Middle High German word ‘Loh’, which described a meadow or clearing. In addition, there are numerous surnames of the same origin, including Loefke, Lohmann, Lohe, Lupfer, and Lunemann.
Famous people with the name Lohf
- Johann Lohf: a German architect of the Baroque era, it is believed he worked on the reconstruction of Würzburg Residence.
- Andreas Lohf: a German politician, he was appointed to the 1st Reichstag after the unification of Germany in 1871.
- Isabelle Lohf: a Dutch jurist, she is specialized in biomedical law and international human rights law.
- Sybille Lohf: a German professor of Rhetoric, she is an emerita of the Goethe University Frankfurt.
- June Lohf: a British LGBT rights activist, she helped found the UK's first lesbian organization in 1972.
- Dietrich Lohf: a German historian and writer, best known for his book on the life of Max Weber.
- Johann Friedrich Lohf: a German composer of the 18th century, he wrote a number of cantatas and organs.
- Herbert Lohf: a German artist and engraver, well known for his etchings of British entertainers and landscapes.
- Lonny Lohf: a professional US basketball player in the WNBA, she is currently playing for the Chicago Sky.
- Claire Lohf: a German artist who creates sculptures and multimedia installations that explore the concept of nature.