Last Name Hofmanner

The surname Hofmanner is derived from a German occupational name for a farmer who lived on a manor, specifically one belonging to a member of the nobility. It comes from the Middle High German "hof" meaning court or manor and "manner," the genitive form of "mann" (man). The addition of the suffix "-er" indicates that the bearer was either an employee of such a farm, or perhaps lived on the manor as a tenant farmer. Over time, the spelling has varied due to regional dialects and transcription errors, resulting in various forms including Hofmann, Hofmeier, and Hofman among others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Hofmanner

The meaning and origin of the last name Hofmanner

The surname Hofmanner is a German-language variant of the more common Hofmann, which means "man from the courtyard" or "court dweller". The name originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a courtyard or castle, or as an occupational name for a servant at such a courtyard or castle. The suffix "-er" in Hofmanner indicates that the bearer was either a servant of someone named Hofmann, or lived on the estate or property associated with a Hofmann. The name Hofmann itself is derived from the Middle High German "hof" meaning court or manor, and "mann" meaning man. This surname likely originated in medieval Germany, as many German-language surnames did during the High Middle Ages (circa 1050–1250), when the practice of using hereditary surnames became common throughout Europe.

Geographical distribution of the last name Hofmanner

The surname Hofmanner is primarily found in German-speaking regions and countries with significant German influences, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It originates from the Middle High German "Hufmann," meaning "man who tends horses." Variations of this name can also be found across Europe due to migration and assimilation over centuries. In North America, Hofmanner is most common in regions with high population density of German immigrants, particularly in the United States, where it is predominantly found in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Texas. Smaller communities with significant numbers of people bearing this surname can also be found in Canada and Australia.

Variants and spellings of the last name Hofmanner

Hofmanner is primarily a German surname with various spelling variations found across different regions and time periods. The following are some of the common variations and their possible origins:

1. Hofmanner - This is the most common spelling, derived from "Hofmann" (meaning "court farmer") combined with a locative suffix "-er", indicating residence near or belonging to.

2. HofmanneR - The capital R at the end of Hofmanne may reflect an attempt to differentiate the surname phonetically.

3. Hoefmanner, Hoeffmanner, Hoffmanner - These variations are likely due to differences in regional pronunciation and spelling conventions for German names over time.

4. Hofmayer, Hofmeier - These variations may have arisen from a misinterpretation of the original surname, with "Mayer" or "Meier" (meaning "mayor" or "farmer") being mistakenly added to "Hofmann".

5. Houffman, Houfmann, Haufmann - These variations may reflect changes in spelling due to migration and assimilation of German speakers into different cultures.

6. Hofman - A shortened version of the surname, possibly influenced by popular trends towards shorter surnames over time.

Famous people with the last name Hofmanner

Notable individuals with the surname Hofmanner include:

1. Ernst Hofmanner (1873-1927), an Austrian painter known for his realistic and detailed works, particularly landscapes.

2. Franz Hofmanner (1864-1930), an Austrian architect who contributed to the development of modernist architecture in Vienna. His work was heavily influenced by Adolf Loos.

3. Richard Hofmanner (born 1958), a German violin maker and restorer, recognized for his skilled craftsmanship and dedication to preserving traditional methods.

4. Johann Georg Hofmanner (1623-1675), an Austrian Baroque composer known for his sacred music, including masses, motets, and vespers.

5. Wolfgang Hofmanner (born 1948), a German politician who served as the Minister of Economics in Thuringia from 2009 to 2014.

Each of these individuals has made significant contributions to their respective fields and is recognized for their achievements within their respective domains.

Genealogical research on the last name Hofmanner

The Hofmanner surname is of German origin and is derived from the occupational name for a smith or metalworker, specifically one who lived near a forge. Variations of the name include Hofmeister, Hofmayer, and Hofmaier. The name is most prevalent in regions of Germany such as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hesse.

One notable bearer of the surname is Johann Christian Heinrich von Hofmann (1766–1849), a German chemist who was a professor at the University of Heidelberg and discovered several organic compounds including camphor and menthol. Another significant figure with the name is Wilhelm Hofmann (1824-1877), a German philosopher known for his work on aesthetics, ethics, and epistemology.

In terms of migration patterns, many individuals with the surname Hofmanner emigrated from Germany to other parts of Europe and North America during the 19th and 20th centuries. Notable diaspora destinations include the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "hofmanner"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 30 July 2025

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