hooftypes

Hooftypes is a term used in taxonomy and data modeling to denote the highest-level categories in a classification. It is a compound drawn from the Dutch hoofd, meaning "head" or "main," combined with types to mark the primary classes from which more specific subtypes are derived. In practice, hooftypes are abstract, broad categories that organize a domain's concepts or data, while lower levels add granularity through subtypes, attributes, and relations.

Because hooftypes are defined for a particular domain, there is no universal set. When building a taxonomy, practitioners select a practical, non-overlapping set of hooftypes that supports efficient reasoning and querying, and that remains stable over time.

Applications include data modeling, ontologies, and knowledge graphs, where hooftypes provide a scalable top-level structure. They help enable generic querying, interoperability between systems, and consistent interpretation of records across contexts. The exact boundaries of each hooftype are guided by domain rules, governance, and the intended use of the classification.

Challenges include deciding how many hooftypes to use, avoiding over-generalization, and ensuring alignment across teams. Poorly chosen hooftypes can hamper data integration or lead to ambiguity in subtype relationships. Documentation and governance are important to maintain clarity about what each hooftype represents.

See also: taxonomy, typology, ontology, data modeling, knowledge graph.