Surname Mellinghoff - Meaning and Origin

Mellinghoff: What does the surname Mellinghoff mean?

The last name Mellinghoff is of German origin and is derived from the German terms 'mahlen' and 'hoff' which mean 'mill' and 'farm', respectively. This last name indicates a person who lived and worked at a mill or a farm. This surname is especially common in the North German provinces of Holstein, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

The Mellinghoff surname likely originated during the medieval period. At this time, people often took on surnames to indicate a person's occupation. People who lived and worked in a mill or a farm may have taken on the Mellinghoff surname as a way of identifying themselves.

Today, many people with the Mellinghoff last name still live in Germany. However, the surname is also found throughout other countries, such as the US and Canada. These families likely have their origins in the periods of migration during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Overall, the Mellinghoff surname indicates a person who lived and worked at a mill or a farm, likely in Germany. This last name likely originated during the medieval period and has been carried on through both Germany and other countries through the centuries.

Mellinghoff: Where does the name Mellinghoff come from?

The last name Mellinghoff is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the northern and central parts of the country. It is also quite prevalent in Austria and Switzerland.

The precise origin of the name is not known, however, some historical records suggest that it has been around since the middle ages. It may have been derived from Melric, an old Germanic name or from Melingum, a town on the Lower Rhine.

In more recent times, the Mellinghoff surname has spread somewhat and can now be found in other countries such as the United States and Canada. However, it is still most common in regions with historic German-speaking roots.

There are currently an estimated 15412 individuals with the surname Mellinghoff living in Germany. Approximately 400 live in Austria, 138 in Switzerland, 50 in the US and 12 in Canada.

Variations of the surname Mellinghoff

Mellinghoff is a German surname with multiple versions, spellings and variants. It is derived from the name Mallen, a German occupational designation for ‘castor,’ a type of worker who cleansed and prepared material. Variations of the name Mellinghoff include Mellenhof, Mellenhoven, Mallen, Mellen and Malen.

The variant spelling Mellenbeck is a variation of Mellinghoff that originates in Prussia. It is found mainly in the Rhineland area. The spelling is derived from the two words “mallen” and “beck”, which means “castor” and “stream” respectively. Therefore, it is possible that families with this variant of the surname originated from a stream where castor were found.

There are other variants of Mellinghoff, such as Mellenkamp, Mallenkamp, Mellinghoff, Melahn, and Mellinghof. The variants Mellinger and Mellinghausen are derived from an old Germanic term “möglingen”, meaning “people who live near a meadow”.

Other surnames of similar origin include Mellenberger and Melenbach. Mellenberger is derived from the word “Mölle” meaning mill and “berg” meaning hill. Meanwhile, Melenbach is a combination of the words “mallen” and “bach”, meaning “castor” and “stream” respectively.

To sum up, the surnames Mellinghoff, Mellenbeck, Mellenkamp, Mallenkamp, Mellinghoff, Melahn, Mellinghof, Mellinger, Mellinghausen, Mellenberger, and Melenbach all share a common origin. These various spellings reflect regional differences between Prussia, Germany, and other areas.

Famous people with the name Mellinghoff

• Inge Mellinghoff: German figure skater who represented East Germany. She won two medals at the World Figure Skating Championships during the 1970s.
• Fritz Mellinghoff: German chemist who was the director of the Institute of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry at the Technical University of Berlin.
• Paul Mellinghoff: German-born American film director and producer. He has directed episodes of Married... with Children, Deep Space Nine, Still Standing, as well as the TV movie A Time to Heal.
• Volkmar Mellinghoff: German actor who is known for his roles in the films Die Fälscher (2009) and Heimatland (2010).
• Thomas Mellinghoff: German businessman who was the CEO of FONDAMENTA AG, an asset management company based in Munich.
• Helga Mellinghoff: German actress who has appeared in German television shows and movies such as Löwenzahn (1985) and Schöne Bescherung (1997).
• Vera Mellinghoff: German ophthalmologist and pianist. She is the chairwoman of the Berlin Eye Hospital and has won multiple prizes for her notable contributions to ophthalmological research.
• Wilhelm Mellinghoff: German lawyer who served as a judge of the German Federal Constitutional Court from 1973 to 1986.
• Bernd Mellinghoff: German musicologist, conductor, and composer. He is the director of the German Academy of Music and Choral Works in Munich.
• Jan Mellinghoff: Danish architect who was the founder of the design agency JohansenSkovgaard. He was also a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

Other surnames

Mellinghof