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![Show Contents]() Eisenhoffen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany
The Eisenhoffen family originated in Bavaria, Germany. As hereditary surnames were adopted in that area beginning in the 12th century, people were often identified by the kind of work they did. Eisenhoffen is an occupational name for a ironworker or a smith. The distinguished name Eisenhoffen is derived from the German word "isen," and the Old German word "isan," which mean "iron." This is also a nickname for a person with a strong will. The second portion of this name, reveals that the original bearer of this name resided in a small settlement. This part of the name is derived from the Old German word "hof," which means settlement, farm or court. Early Origins of the Eisenhoffen familyThe surname Eisenhoffen was first found in Bavaria, where the family Eisenhofen earned a significant reputation for its contributions to the region's medieval society. Later the family became more prominent as different branches of the same house acquired distant estates. Eisenhut is a mountain in the Central Eastern Alps in Austria and Eisenhut in German literally translates as "iron hat." It was a term frequently used for what is better known as a kettle hat, a type of helmet made of steel in the shape of a brimmed hat. They were common throughout Medieval Europe, but later fell out of favor. They made a comeback in World War I when the British and the U.S. used a variation of the design. In the latter case, they were known as the Brodie helmet. Early History of the Eisenhoffen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eisenhoffen research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1525, 1644, 1702 and 1819 are included under the topic Early Eisenhoffen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Eisenhoffen Spelling VariationsMany cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Eisenhoffen include Eisenhofen, Eisenhoffen, Eissenhofen, Eissenhoffen, Eysenhofen, Eyssenhofen, Eisenhofer, Eisenhoffer, Eisenhofel, Eisenhofere, Eissenhoffer, Eisenhoffel, Eisenhoffere, Eisenhoffer, Eissenhoffere and many more. Early Notables of the Eisenhoffen familyMore information is included under the topic Early Eisenhoffen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Eisenhoffen familyThousands of German settlers came to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. The hardships of the long voyage were balanced by the opportunity to escape poverty and religious persecution. The descendents of these settlers still populate the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also live in Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Eisenhoffen or a variant listed above: Magdalena Eisenhofer who arrived in St. Mary, Pennsylvania in 1847; along with other settlers who arrived and established themselves on the eastern coast of the United States and in Canada during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries..
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