Surname Steigenhöfer - Meaning and Origin
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Steigenhöfer: What does the surname Steigenhöfer mean?
Steigenhöfer is a German surname that is derived from the words "Steige," meaning "stairs," and "Höfe," meaning "courts." As such, the surname is associated with an occupation of the past; that of those who lived in and operated staircases and lobbies, such as those found in large buildings and mansions.
The origin of Steigenhöfer was likely to have arisen from a place with similar-sounding name (e.g. Steigenhöferhof), where those involved in stairways may have lived. The name may also derive from a person who lived as a ‘Steigendieb’ (‘Stair-Thief’), meaning a thief who was observed to using the stairs to gain entry into a dwelling.
The use of Steigenhöfer as a surname is believed to have begun in the 16th century, during a period when the exchange of goods and services became part of the stratification of social classes. During this era, those with a Steigenhöfer surname likely worked as craftsmen or servants, and belonged to the lower classes of society.
Today, Steigenhöfer is one of the oldest names still in use, and is seen as a representation of a highly pious, industrious, ambitious, and honest surname. This is a trait that was highly sought after during the pre-industrial era and which, in some cases, allowed members of the Steigenhöfer family to rise above their station.
Order DNA origin analysisSteigenhöfer: Where does the name Steigenhöfer come from?
The last name Steigenhöfer is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today, but there are also a significant number of people with this surname living in other countries such as the United States, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland. Although the exact origin of the name is unknown, it is likely of Germanic or Slavic origin, as evidenced by its presence in both German and Slavic-speaking populations.
The German language is where you would expect to find the greatest concentration of individuals with the surname Steigenhöfer. However, individuals with this last name can be found in other countries due to immigration and other historical movements. There are numerous records of immigrants in the early 20th century in the United States who had the surname Steigenhöfer.
The Steigenhöfer surname is also found in other parts of Europe. For example, in Switzerland, records show that individuals with the surname Steigenhöfer have been living in the Canton of Bern since the 16th century. There are also records of the surname in the Netherlands, going as far back as 1500s.
In Austria, people with this last name can be found in the city of Vienna. Records show that Steigenhöfers have lived in Vienna since at least the eighteenth century.
It is clear that the last name Steigenhöfer is still common today and can be found in many countries around the world. It seems to be especially concentrated in Germany and Austria, where it has had a presence for centuries, but also in other parts of Europe and the United States.
Variations of the surname Steigenhöfer
The surname Steigenhöfer is believed to have Germanic roots, being derived from the words “Steig” meaning ascent or path and “höfer” meaning of farmer. It is thought to have been commonly used as an occupational surname for a tenant farmer.
The most common variants of the surname Steigenhöfer include Steignhöfer, Steigner, Steinhöfer, Steinerhofer, Steinerhof, Steignhoefer, Steingerhöfer, Steinigerhof, Steiniger and Heinegger.
Other related surnames are Steigerwald, Steinwald, Steingruber, Stieger, Steigler, Steigert, Steinhart and Steinhauer.
The spelling of Steigenhöfer has changed over time. In past centuries, it was recorded as Steichenhofer, Steigenhofer and Steigenhöffer. These spelling variants can still be found today, as well as some more modern versions such as Steigenhofer, Steingenhofer and Stinehofer.
The primary given name associated with the Steigenhöfer surname is Heinrich, as found in many historic records, however the surname has been found to be popularly used with other given names such as Jakob, Johann, Leopold, and Martin.
Historically, the Steigenhöfer surname was found mostly in Austria and Germany, however, it is found in many other countires in the present day, making it an international surname.
In summary, the surname Steigenhöfer has many variants, spellings and related surnames including Steinhöfer, Steigerwald, Steignhöfer, Steiger, Steigler, Stieger, Steingruber, Steinwald, Steigert, Steinhart, Steinhauer, Steichenhofer, Steigenhofer, Steigenhöffer, Steingenhofer, Stinehofer and Heinegger. It is thought to derive from Germanic words and traditionally associated with the name Heinrich, however it is now used with all kinds of given names.
Famous people with the name Steigenhöfer
- Christof Steigenhöfer: a German actor, born in 1971.
- Dirk Steigenhöfer: a German lawyer and professor of public law.
- Philipp Steigenhöfer: a German historian and professor of contemporary history.
- Wilfried Steigenhöfer: a German jurist and university professor of criminal law.
- Maximilian Steigenhöfer: a German actor, born in 1990.
- Werner Steigenhöfer: a German composer, born in 1964.
- Carl Steigenhöfer: a German politician who has been serving as the mayor of his native Euskirchen since 2003.
- Fritz Steigenhöfer: a German barrister and politician who served as a member of the Bundestag from 1977 to 1983.
- Holger Steigenhöfer: a German advisor and spokesman for small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Walther Steigenhöfer: a German organic farmer who is strongly committed to protecting the environment.