What is "berkhoff"

Berkhof or Berkhoff is a surname from Dutch / German origin. The name means literally `birch- farm´ or `birch- farmhouse´ and falls as such under the so-called farm names. Such a name served as an address when street names were not commonly used. To leave no doubt there would have stood a birch tree in the yard.Both Debrabander as Winkler gives as meaning of the surname: “farm of/with birches (hof van/met berken)”. In his Middle Dutch dictionary Verdam explains the word “berke” as “birch (berkenboom)” and “hof” as “1. enclosed yard, place; 2. farmhouse, farm, homestead (1. omheinde ruimte, plaats; 2. boerewoning, boerderij, hofstede)”.

• Debrabander, F., Dictionary of family names in Belgium and northern France (Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk) (Amsterdam/Antwerpen rev. 2003), pag. 115

• Verdam, J., Dictionary of Middle Dutch (Middelnederlandsch Handwoordenboek) (Den Haag 1932 unalt. 1981), pag. 77 and 253

• Winkler, J., Dutch Surnames, their origins, history and meanings (De Nederlandse geslachtsnamen in oorsprong, geschiedenis en betekeenis) (Haarlem 1900), pag. 406