Hoef

Hoef is a Dutch word that primarily means the hoof of an animal, such as a horse or cow. The term is of Germanic origin and is cognate with the English word “hoof.” In addition to its literal sense, hoef appears in Dutch place names and family names, reflecting historical and geographical associations in the landscape.

As a toponym, Hoef and De Hoef are found in several Dutch-speaking regions and in Belgium. These place names typically designate small settlements or hamlets. The exact origin of each usage can vary, but the name often relates to historical features of the site, such as ties to horses or to a particular landscape element used by travelers and livestock.

Hoef is also encountered as a surname in Dutch-speaking communities. As with many toponymic surnames, it may have originated from a family's association with a place named Hoef or from an occupation or activity linked to horses and farming.

In broader usage, hoef is part of a family of related Dutch terms connected to horses and farming, and it contrasts with related words such as hoeve, which denotes a farmstead or small farm. The word appears in historical and contemporary texts to describe animals, agrarian life, and geographic names within the Dutch-speaking world.