høj

Høj is a Danish word and surname. In Danish, the term commonly means "high" or "tall" and is used as a topographic descriptor for raised ground. As a surname, Høj is typically of toponymic origin, indicating that an ancestor lived near a hill, mound, or other elevated feature.

Pronunciation and orthography: The letters ø and the digraph "øj" define the Danish pronunciation, which is roughly "oy" as in "boy" but produced with Danish vowels. In non-Danish contexts, the name is frequently anglicized as Hoeg or Hoy.

Usage and distribution: Høj is a relatively common surname in Denmark and can be found among people of Danish descent. Spelling variants include Hoeg and, less commonly, Hoy, depending on language and region. The form with ø is the standard Danish spelling.

Toponymy and geography: Beyond a surname, Høj appears in Danish place names as a toponymic element, reflecting elevated terrain. It may occur as a standalone toponym or as part of longer place names describing hills, mounds, or raised land features.

See also: Hoy, Hoeg. The stem refers to high or hill in Danish toponymy and onomastics.