Hoffer
A German surname most often tied to a farm, yard, or steward-like role on an estate.
The #5,796 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 51,725 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Hoffer is generally understood as a German surname connected with Hof, meaning a farmstead, court, estate, or enclosed yard. It likely began as a name for someone who lived or worked at a farm or manor, or for a tenant or steward associated with an estate. Related German surnames such as Hofmann and Hoffmeister point to the same broad field of meanings.
History
The name appears in German-speaking areas and spread widely through later migration to North America and elsewhere. The excerpted 19th-century sources group it with other Hof- names and gloss the family of names as relating to rural or estate life. In modern usage it is found both as a German surname and among descendants of German emigrants.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same root hof shows up in many German surnames, especially those linked to farms and manors, like Hofmann and Hoffmeister.
From the historical record
“rurale (Alleui.). Hoffer, Hoffherr, Hoffman, Hoffmann, Hoffmeister, Hof- mann , Hofmeister. Fermier, homuic de la métairie i^AUem.). Hogard. l" Généreux , altier”
— Dictionnaire des noms (French surnames)