Surname Klingelhöfer - Meaning and Origin

Klingelhöfer: What does the surname Klingelhöfer mean?

Klingelhöfer is a German topographic surname derived from the word ‘Klingelhöfer’, which translates to ‘bell keeper’ or ‘bell ringer’. This type of surname was given to someone who had an occupation or residence near a bell tower. In some cases, it can refer to someone who was the beadle, or official who rang the bell in church, or the keeper of the bell at a watchtower or castle.

Klingelhöfer first appears as a surname in the 13th century in German documents. It is derived from two German words: ‘Klingel’, which refers to a bell, and ‘höfer’, which means an individual in charge of a bell. The literal meaning of Klingelhöfer, then, is ‘bell keeper’ or ‘bell ringer’.

The Klingelhöfer surname is more common in the Eastern part of Germany. It is also found in Austria and Switzerland. It is considered an occupational name because it typically refers to the occupation of sounding the bell in a tower or church. It suggests that the person had a close relationship with the tower or church and was likely part of the staff. Today, the name is still quite common in parts of Germany.

As many surnames of this type, the Klingelhöfer surname is a reflection of the area from which it originated. It is a testament to the importance of bells and bell towers in the religious and practical lives of those living in early Germany.

Klingelhöfer: Where does the name Klingelhöfer come from?

The last name Klingelhöfer is a German-originated name derived from the word 'Klingel' which means bell in English. It is a surname most commonly found in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. In recent decades, there have been many Klingelhöfers migrating from these countries into other parts of the world, such as Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as other countries across the globe.

In Germany, it is most commonly found in the western states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. There are also numerous Klingelhöfers found in Poland, primarily in the Lublin Voivodeship which is located in the southeastern part of the country. Slovakia, another neighboring country, is also home to an abundance of Klingelhöfers.

In North America, there has been a significant influx of Klingelhöfers to Canada and the United States. Larger numbers of Klingelhöfers typically reside in larger cities such as Toronto, Calgary, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City.

Tracing its root back to medieval Germany, the name Klingelhöfer continues to be widespread in many countries around the world today. Wherever one might find a Klingelhöfer today, the same commonality can be found: a love of German culture and heritage, with an ambitious spirit and zest for life.

Variations of the surname Klingelhöfer

The Klingelhöfer (or sometimes spelled Klingelhofer) surname is a German name of nobility that originates from the Middle Ages. The alternate surnames derived from this name are Klingelhoefer, Klinghoffer, Klinghofer, Klingelfohr, Klingelvogel, and Klinfelhofer. It is believed that the name began in what is now Germany, some time around the 13th century.

The Klingelhöfer name was derived from a combination of two words: “Klingel” and “höfer”. The word Klingel can mean either “bell” or “ring”, while höfer meant “land holder” or “farmer” in feudalistic German society. Therefore, it is believed that the name “Klingelhöfer” literally translates to “bell owner/farmer”. The original Klingelhöfers of the Middle Ages were most likely land-owning farmers.

Interestingly, the name Klingelhöfer is still in use today and can be found in family trees around the world. Some descendants of the Klingelhöfers have adopted new, varied spellings as their surname, like Klingelfohr and Klingelvogel, while others may have kept the traditional spelling. Such alternate spellings of the name may be observed in various documents, such as marriage certificates and archived documents.

The Klingelhöfers were a family of nobility and, as such, ancestors of this surname may be found in various books about medieval German nobility. The Klingelhöfers were a presence in the Middle Ages and their descendants are still alive and well today.

Famous people with the name Klingelhöfer

• Karl August Klingelhöfer (1776-1865), Prussian army officer.
• Karl Wilhelm Klingelhöfer (1800-1872), Prussian officer and politician.
• Heinrich Rüdiger von Klingelhöfer (1815-1891), Prussian general staff officer.
• August Klingelhöfer (1848-1916), Prussian crown councilor.
• August Klingelhöfer (1888-1931), German businessman and financier.
• Emil Klingelhöfer (1893-1977), German chemical engineer and industrialist.
• Friedrich Ernst Klingelhöfer (1899-1988), German painter and graphic artist.
• Helmut Klingelhöfer (1920-1985), German football player and coach.
• Ulrike Klingelhöfer (born 1981), German politician and member of Bundestag.

Other surnames

Klingelhöffer