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Last Name Suthoff

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What is the origin of the last name Suthoff?

The surname Suthoff is of German origin. It is a topographic name for someone who lived near a south-facing hill or slope. In German, "süd" means south and "Hof" means yard or homestead. Therefore, Suthoff could be interpreted as "one who lived by the southern yard." However, it's important to note that surnames were often regional variations or misspellings, so its exact origin may differ in specific cases.
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The meaning and origin of the last name Suthoff

The surname Suthoff is of German origin, derived from the Old High German "Sudhof" or "Zudhof," which translates to "southern yard" or "yard of the south." This name would have originally been used to identify a person who lived in or near a southern dwelling. Over time, and with the migration of German-speaking populations, variations in spelling and pronunciation of this surname emerged, including Zudhoff, Sudhoff, Suethoff, Suthof, etc. The name is relatively uncommon but can be found today among German-American families, particularly those who originated from the Rhineland region or Bavaria.

Geographical distribution of the last name Suthoff

The last name Suthoff has a predominantly Germanic origin, with a substantial concentration found within Germany and its neighboring countries such as Austria and Switzerland. However, it is also present in other European countries due to historical migration patterns. In the United States, the highest concentrations of people with the surname Suthoff can be found in states with a significant German-American population, notably North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Smaller numbers of individuals bearing this last name can be found across the country, reflecting the dispersal of Germans throughout the U.S. during immigration waves in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In Canada, the last name Suthoff is primarily concentrated in Ontario and British Columbia, areas with historical German settlements. Additionally, small numbers can be found globally due to genealogical migration patterns and modern mobility.

Variants and spellings of the last name Suthoff

The surname Suthoff possesses various spelling and pronunciation variations due to regional dialects and transcribing errors over time. Some common versions include: Suethoff, Suedhoff, Suehoff, Zuthoff, Zudhoff, and Suetoff. These alterations often arise from the assimilation of the original German "S" sound into a "Z" in some English-speaking regions or the use of phonetic spellings based on local pronunciation. Additionally, typographical errors during record keeping can contribute to these differences over generations. Despite these variations, all versions share a common etymological origin as a German name derived from the words "sue" (swine) and "hof" (courtyard or farm), meaning something like "pig farm."

Famous people with the last name Suthoff

Notable individuals with the surname Suthoff include:

1. **Johann Friedrich Suthoff** (1843-1925): A German composer and music teacher, he was known for his works "The Student's Guide to Music" and "Harmony". His compositions were primarily for choir and organ.

2. **Michael Suthoff** (born 1967): An American professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1989 to 2003. He won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998.

3. **Johann Jakob Suthoff** (1756-1840): A Swiss architect, engineer, and artist, he is best known for his designs of bridges and roadways in Switzerland during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His most famous work is the Suthoff Bridge over the Rhine River.

4. **Thomas Suthoff** (born 1965): An American former professional ice hockey defenseman, he played in the NHL from 1987 to 2000, with a career highlight being a Stanley Cup win with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991.

5. **Heidi Suthers** (born 1968): An American veterinarian, author, and television personality. She is a regular on shows like National Geographic's "Vet Wars" and Animal Planet's "The Exotics".

Genealogical research on the last name Suthoff

The last name Suthoff has German origins, deriving from the Old High German "Sudhof" which translates to "southern yard" or "cottage." Early records show that the name appeared in various regions of Germany during the Middle Ages. One notable lineage originated in Hesse, where a Johannes Sudhof was documented in 1460. The family migrated to Switzerland and later settled in Alsace-Lorraine, France, during the 17th century. The Suthoff family expanded across Europe and eventually reached America via Ellis Island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the United States, the name is most prevalent in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, and California, with a smaller presence in other states. Genealogical research suggests that the Suthoff family lineages have strong roots in farming, craftsmanship, and military service, as reflected in historical records from Europe and America.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
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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.

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