German surname
Farmstead owner
Locational surname
Hoffmann (also Hoffman, Hofmann) is a German status surname meaning 'man of the farmstead' or 'court', from Middle High German 'hofman'. It originally denoted a person who owned or managed a farm or worked at a noble court. The name is very common in German-speaking countries.
It has spread widely through emigration, particularly to North America. Related forms include Hofman and Hoffman. The surname reflects the importance of the farmstead as a basic social and economic unit.
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Farmstead owner. From German "Hof" (courtyard/farmstead), for the owner or steward of one.
Hoffmann is a German-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.
Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.
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