Surname Lemhoefer - Meaning and Origin
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Lemhoefer: What does the surname Lemhoefer mean?
The last name Lemhoefer is an Germanic, Dutch-origin surname derived from a combination of two traditional words, ‘lem’ meaning ‘elm’, and ‘hoef’ meaning ‘barn’ or ‘inn’. This name likely originated as a topographic surname, meaning that it was likely given to someone who lived near or owned a barn made of elm wood. It is possible that the bearer of the name Lemhoefer was a wool trader or a local landowner.
In the Netherlands, Lemhoefer is a rare name, with only a few hundred people bearing the surname. Those individuals can most likely trace their ancestry to someone living in the Dutch region by that name in the 1700s. Prior to that, it is possible that some of the Lemhoefer family originated in Germany, as the surname appears to be of Germanic origin.
The Lemhoefer family has produced some notable people in recent years, including Dutch visual artist Marianne Lemhoefer and American actress and film producer Pamela Lemhoefer. Beyond those with some level of fame, the Lemhoefer family is likely comprised of people from numerous countries and cultures, all sharing the same family name. Their connection to the Dutch name, however, will remain part of the family’s shared heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisLemhoefer: Where does the name Lemhoefer come from?
The last name Lemhoefer is most commonly found in Germany today. The surname originated in the area of Schleswig-Holstein, which is the northernmost state of Germany near the Danish and North German borders. In 2019, the Lemhoefer surname was the 39,700th most common surname in Germany. The surname is particularly concentrated in the north-western region of Schleswig-Holstein, as well as in the south-eastern region of Saxony. It is also found throughout the rest of Germany, with notable concentrations in Bavaria, Hamburg, Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Baden-Württemberg.
There are some Lemhoefers living in other European countries and North America. However, this number would likely be much smaller than the populations found in Germany. Although the name does not appear to be particularly prominent outside of Germany, this could change over time as more people move abroad and mingle with different cultures from around the world.
It should also be noted that the name could be spelled in various ways. Some popular variations include Lämhöfer, Lamhofer, Lemhofer, and Laemhofer. All of these variants are likely to still be found in Germany, as well as other parts of Europe and North America.
Variations of the surname Lemhoefer
Lemhoefer is a surname of German origin. It is most likely derived from the German words lem “elm” and hoefer “farmer” or “ferryman”, and is likely an occupational surname. The variants spellings and surnames of the same origin include: Lemhofer, Lemhöfer, Lemfohr, Lemfohrer, Lemfelder, Lemphefer, Lempheffer, and Lemfefer.
Some of these variants have also developed alternate spellings within other languages, such as the Dutch Lemhöfen, French Lemfohrer, and Italian Lienstella. In the United States, Leyman and Layman are variants that have emerged from an anglicized form of the original Lemhoefer surname.
The Lemhoefer surname originated in the German state of Bavaria during the 1600s. It is likely that the earliest Lemhoefers were from an area along the Pleisse, a small river in the city of Berlin. The Lemhoefers were likely farmers and traders who primarily grew and sold crops such as rye, wheat, oats, and barley to nearby towns.
In the 1800s, many members of the Lemhoefer family left Bavaria for other parts of Germany, the United States, and Canada in search of new opportunities. As they traveled, the spelling of the surname was often changed to fit the local language, resulting in the variety of variants and alternate spellings that exist today.
Famous people with the name Lemhoefer
- Paul Lemhoefer: Paul Lemhoefer is a German singer, songwriter and actor. He has appeared in numerous television shows and films, including Die Dolmetscherin as a German interpreter for the US Army's Criminal Investigation Division.
- Robert Lemhoefer: Robert Lemhoefer is a German actor and voice actor who was born in 1952. He is known for his roles in films such as The Name of the Rose, Vestige, and Pigeon Mouse.
- Josephine Lemhoefer: Josephine Lemhoefer is a German novelist and short story writer. She won the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize in 2014 for her novel Zeit in der Unruhe.
- Maximilian Lemhoefer: Maximilian Lemhoefer is a German film director and screenwriter. He has directed several feature films, including Ludwig II and Immortal.
- Karla Lemhoefer: Karla Lemhoefer is a German actress who is best known for her roles in films like Ardennes Fury and Wolfsfrau.
- Rolf Lemhoefer: Rolf Lemhoefer is a German former footballer who played as a midfielder for several teams in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.
- Johannes Lemhoefer: Johannes Lemhoefer is a German film director and animator who has directed films including PlanetarF, Hotel, and Welcome to All Saints High.
- Herbert Lemhoefer: Herbert Lemhoefer is a German former equestrian who competed in three Olympic Games from 1952 to 1960. He won a bronze medal in individual show jumping in 1952 and was later awarded the Merit Medal of the Federal Republic of Germany for his accomplishments.