| ![Show Contents]() Hoflan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany Hoflan is a local name from the German region of Westphalia. Local names and other types of hereditary surnames began to be used in Germany after the 12th century. They were derived from the name of the place where the original bearer of the name lived. Sometimes local names bear the prefix "von", meaning "of" or "from". This was originally an indication of land-ownership, and was sometimes a mark of aristocracy. The family originally lived on a farmstead. The name Hoflan is derived from the Old German and German word hof, which means settlement, farm or court. Early Origins of the Hoflan familyThe surname Hoflan was first found in Westphalia, where the family contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation. The name probably stems from the German word "Hof" meaning "court." Early History of the Hoflan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoflan research. Another 359 words (26 lines of text) covering the years 1378, 1440, 1629, 1662, 1684, 1773 and 1829 are included under the topic Early Hoflan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Hoflan 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 Hoflan include Hof, Hoff, Hoffe, Hofer, Hoefer, Hoeffer, Hoffer, Hofle, Hoefe, Hofler, Hoefler, Hofner and many more. Early Notables of the Hoflan familyMore information is included under the topic Early Hoflan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Hoflan familyAfter 1650, thousands of German settlers came to North America to escape the religious persecution and poverty that wracked Europe and to make the most of the opportunity to own their own land in a new country. They settled across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, and in Canada in Ontario and on the fertile plains of the prairie provinces. Among them: Lorentz Hoff, who sailed to America in 1730; Gideon Hoffer sailed to Pennsylvania in 1732; Hans Jacob Hoff, who sailed to Pennsylvania in 1733; Conrad Hoffler to Pennsylvania in 1751.
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