Berkhoff

An eye-catching (birch) tree could have an address function (in the Netherlands)

Berkhoff or Berkhof is a family name of German or Dutch origin. The name falls under the so-called court names . At the time when there were no street names , the names were used as addresses . The name has two meanings. In the Central and Upper German-speaking area , the name means farm on a mountain. The name is a variant of the Berghoff family name . In the Low German-speaking area (Northern Germany and the Netherlands) it literally means birch farm or birch homestead . In any case, one or more birch trees will have stood here in the yard of the property .

origin

The farm names were used quite frequently by adding them to the first name and patronymic of the tenants . Primarily, however, the name belonged to the property and the associated farm. This meant that a subsequent tenant could also become known with his family by the name of the farm. Therefore, several unrelated families can take their last name from the name of the farm. Because the previous tenant and his descendants often kept the surname with which they had become known. These so-called farms of origin are known both in the Netherlands and in north-west Germany. The oldest reports about this date from the beginning of the 16th century and one report even from the 15th century.

Well-known namesake

• Gerrit Berkhoff (1901–1996), Dutch chemist and first rector of the Dutch University of Twente
• Karel Berkhoff (* 1965), Dutch historian
• Wicher Berkhoff (Russian: Wasili Iwanowitsch Berkow ) (1794–1870), Russian shipbuilder of Dutch origin
• Willem Berkhoff (1863–1952), Dutch confectioner

See also

• Berkhof
• Berkoff
• Berghof
• Berghoff
• Berkenhof

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Fenwick Jones, G., German-American Names (3 ed. 2006), page 91 and Contributions to Name Research XI (1976), page 138
2. ↑ Debrabander and Winkler give the meaning of the surname: “Hof der Birken (hof van berken)”. In his Middle Dutch Dictionary Verdam explains the word: “berke” as “birch tree (berkenboom)” and “hof” as “1st courtyard, place; 2nd farmhouse, farm, homestead (1. omheinde ruimte, plaats; 2. boerewoning, boerderij, hofstede) ".
   • Debrabander, F., Woordenboek van de Familienamen in België en Frankrijk (Amsterdam / Antwerp changed. 2003), page 115
   • Verdam, J., Middelnederlandsch Handwoordenboek (The Hague 1932, unchanged 1981), pages 77 and 253
   • Winkler, J., De Nederlandsche Geslachtspiele in oorsprong, geschiedenis en beteekenis (Haarlem 1900), page 406