Hofer

Hofer is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German hof, meaning courtyard, farm, or estate, with the agentive suffix -er; the name originally described a person who dwelt at or worked on a hof, or who was associated with a farm. The form Hofer is common in Austria, southern Germany, and parts of Switzerland and is often found with variant spellings such as Hoffer or Hofner.

As a toponymic surname, Hofer can indicate origin from a place named Hof or Hofen. It is particularly prevalent in German-speaking regions of the Alps and central Europe. The name appears across different professional groups and has many unrelated lineages.

In commerce, Hofer is the name used for the Austrian discount supermarket chain operated by Aldi Süd. The Hofer stores are widely recognized in Austria, and the brand is also used in some neighboring markets under the Aldi Süd umbrella.