Show ContentsHoft History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hoft family

The surname Hoft was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in North Holland, a province of the Netherlands. The principal cities are Amsterdam, Haarlem and Hilversum. It was the seat of the old Counts of Holland. Seat of one of the oldest families is Brederode Castle near Haarlem. There are many old and quaint towns in the province. including Medemblik, Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Edam, and Monnikendam. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Hoft family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoft research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1815 and 1816 are included under the topic Early Hoft History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoft Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Hoeff, van der Hoeff, Hoef, van der Hoef, Hoeft, Hoft, Hovet, Hövet, Höft, Hooft, van den Hooft, vandenHoft, vanderHoft, vanderHoeff, vandenHoeff, vanHoof, vanHooff, de Hooft and many more.

Early Notables of the Hoft family

More information is included under the topic Early Hoft Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Hoft migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hoft Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Adam Hoft, who arrived in New York in 1715-1716 1
  • Andries Hoft, who landed in New York in 1715-1716 1
  • Laurence Hoft, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1730 1
Hoft Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joh Hoft, who arrived in North America in 1832-1849 1
  • August Hoft, who arrived in New York in 1860 1
  • Carl Hoft, aged 19, who landed in New York in 1862 1

New Zealand Hoft migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hoft Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Herman Hoft, (b. 1862), aged 3 months, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 2
  • Mr. Herman Hoft, British farm labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 2
  • Mrs. Mary Hoft, (b. 1838), aged 24, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 2


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook