Hoffman is a surname of

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany, the country of the Germans and German things **Germania (Roman era) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...

origin. The original meaning in medieval times was "steward", i.e. one who manages the property of another. In English and other European languages, including

Yiddish Yiddish, historically Judeo-German, is a West Germanic language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. It originated in 9th-century Central Europe, and provided the nascent Ashkenazi community with a vernacular based on High German fused with ...

and

Dutch Dutch or Nederlands commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands ** Dutch people as an ethnic group () ** Dutch nationality law, history and regulations of Dutch citizenship () ** Dutch language () * In specific terms, i ...

, the name can also be spelled

Hoffmann Hoffmann is a German language, German surname. People A *Adolph Hoffmann (1858–1930), German politician *Albert Hoffmann (horticulturist), Albert Hoffmann (1846–1924), German horticulturist *Alexander Hoffmann (politician), Alexander Hoffma ...

, Hofmann, Hofman, Huffman, and Hofmans.

People with the surname

A

* Aaron Hoffman (1880–1944), American writer, director and comedian *

Abbie Hoffman Abbot Howard Hoffman (November 30, 1936 – April 12, 1989) was an American political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party ("Yippies") and was a member of the Chicago Seven. He was also a leading proponent of the ...

(1936–1989), American social activist of prominence in the 1960s and 1970s * Abraham Hoffman (1938–2015), Israeli basketball player *

Adolph Hoffmann Johann Franz Adolph Hoffmann (23 March 1858 – 1 December 1930) was a German people, German Socialism, socialist politician and Prussian Minister for Science, Culture and Education. Born in Berlin, Hoffmann worked as an engraver, and then as ...

(1858–1930), German politician and Prussian Minister for Science, Culture and Education *

Al Hoffman Al Hoffman (September 25, 1902 – July 21, 1960) was an American song composer. He was a hit songwriter active in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, usually co-writing with others and responsible for number-one hits through each decade, many of wh ...

(1902–1960), Russian-born American songwriter * Alan Hoffman (born 1982), American entrepreneur *

Albert Hofmann Albert Hofmann (11 January 1906 – 29 April 2008) was a Swiss chemist known for being the first to synthesize, ingest, and learn of the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Hofmann's team also isolated, named and synthesi ...

(1906–2008), Swiss chemist and discoverer of LSD *

Alex Hoffman-Ellis Alex Hoffman-Ellis (born August 14, 1989) is an American former professional football linebacker. After playing college football for the Washington State Cougars, he was signed in 2012 by the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL ...

(born 1989), American football player *

Alice Hoffman Alice Hoffman (born March 16, 1952) is an American novelist and Young adult literature, young-adult and Children's literature, children's writer, best known for her 1995 novel ''Practical Magic (novel), Practical Magic'', which was adapted for ...

(born 1952), American author *

Anthony Hoffman Anthony Hoffman (December 5, 1764 – ?) was an American politician from New York. Early life He was born on April 14, 1766, the son of Col. Martinus Hoffman and Tryntje (Benson) Hoffman. He graduated from Kings College (now Columbia College). ...

(1739–1790), New York politician *

Arthur Sullivant Hoffman Arthur Sullivant Hoffman (September 28, 1876 – March 15, 1966) was an American magazine editor. Hoffman is best known for editing the acclaimed pulp magazine ''Adventure'' from 1912 to 1927, Bleiler, Richard. "A History of Adventure Magazine", in ...

(1876–1966), American magazine editor *

August Wilhelm von Hofmann August Wilhelm von Hofmann (8 April 18185 May 1892) was a German chemist who made considerable contributions to organic chemistry. His research on aniline helped lay the basis of the aniline-dye industry, and his research on coal tar laid the g ...

(1818–1892) German organic chemist

B

Barbara Hoffman Barbara Hoffman (born January 18, 1931) is a former infielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 6" .68 m/small>, 133 lb. 0 k/small>, she batted and threw right-handed. Born in Belle ...

(born 1931), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player *

Beate Hofmann Beate Hofmann (born October 15, 1963 in Bad Tölz) is a German Lutheran bishop. Life Hofmann studied Lutheran theology at ''Kirchliche Hochschule Bethel'' in Bielefeld, Heidelberg University, Northwestern University, University of Hamburg, and ...

(born 1963), German Lutheran bishop *

Ben Hoffman Benjamin Isaac Hoffman is an American comedian, actor, writer, and musician. Hoffman is better known by his country musician alter ego Wheeler Walker, Jr., as whom he has released five studio albums. His first album as Wheeler Walker, Jr., ' ...

(born 1974), American comedian and writer *

Ben Hoffman (triathlete) Ben Hoffman (born August 22, 1983) is an American professional triathlete from Grand Junction, Colorado who races in long distance, non-drafting triathlon events. In 2014 he placed second at the Ironman World Championship. Career Hoffman grew u ...

(born 1983), American triathlete *

Benjamin Hoffman Benjamin Hoffman (April 15, 1864 – May 20, 1922) was a Jewish-American lawyer, politician, and judge from New York. Life Hoffman was born on April 15, 1864, in New York City, New York, the son of David L. Hoffman and Babette Heilman. His pare ...

(1864–1922), American lawyer, politician, and judge *

Benzion Hoffman Benzion Hoffman (; 1 May 1874 – 14 October 1954), best known by the pen name Zivion (, ''Tsivyen''), was a Yiddish writer, journalist, and political activist. Biography Hoffman was born in the village of Krug, near Boysk, in the Courland Gove ...

best known by the pen name Zivion, Yiddish writer, journalist, and political activist *

Bern Hoffman Benjamin Bernard Hoffman (February 17, 1913 – December 15, 1979) was an American film, television and theatre actor. He was perhaps best known for playing "Earthquake McGoon" in ''Li'l Abner'', both in the Broadway play and in the 1959 film. ...

(1913–1979), American film and television actor *

Bernard Hoffman Bernard Hoffman (1913–1979) was an American photographer and documentary photographer. The bulk of his photographic journalism was done during the first 18 years of the revamped ''Life'' magazine, starting in 1936. During this time he prod ...

(1913–1979), American photographer *

Biff Hoffman Clifford Ellsworth "Biff" Hoffman (1904 – January 29, 1954) was an American football player and track and field star of the 1920s. He set a collegiate discus record in 1925 and was captain of the 1927 Stanford Indians football team, kicking ...

(1904–1954), American football player *

Bill Hoffman (disambiguation) William Hoffman may refer to: * William Hoffman (author) (1925–2009), American novelist * William Hoffman (painter) (1924–1995), American painter * William Hoffman (United States Army) (1807–1884), American military officer, led the Colorado ...

, several people * Brock Hoffman (born 1998), American football player * Bryce G. Hoffman (born 1969), American author

C

Calvin Hoffman Calvin Hoffman (1906 – February 1986), born Leo Hochman in Brooklyn, New York, was an American theater critic, press agent and writer who popularized in his 1955 book ''The Man Who Was Shakespeare'' the Marlovian theory that playwright Christop ...

(died 1987), American theater press agent and writer * Camille Hoffman (born 1987), American artist * Carl von Hoffman (1889–1982), Russian adventurer *

Carl Henry Hoffman Carl Henry Hoffman (August 12, 1896 – November 30, 1980) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. Biography Carl H. Hoffman graduated from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, in 1922. He serve ...

(1896–1980), Pennsylvania politician * Charles Hoffman (1911–1972), American screenwriter and film producer * Charles E. Hoffman (born 1949), American business executive and college dean *

Charles Fenno Hoffman Charles Fenno Hoffman (February 7, 1806 – June 7, 1884) was an American author, poet and editor associated with the Knickerbocker Group in New York. Biography Hoffman was born in New York City on February 7, 1806. He was the son of New York ...

(1806–1884), American author, poet and editor * Charlotta Hoffman (1807–1877) Swedish actress * Christopher Hoffman (born 1981), Zimbabwean actor and voice artist * Clara Cleghorn Hoffman (1831–1908), American educator and temperance reformer * Clare Hoffman (1875–1967), American politician * Clarence Hoffman (1933–2025), American politician in Iowa

D

Daniel Hoffman Daniel Gerard Hoffman (April 3, 1923 – March 30, 2013) was an American poet, essayist, and academic. He was appointed the twenty-second Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in 1973. Early life and education Hoffman wa ...

(1923–2013), American poet, essayist, and academic * Danny Hoffman (1880–1922), American baseball player * Darleane C. Hoffman (born 1926), American nuclear chemist *

David Hoffman (disambiguation) David Hoffman may refer to: * David Hoffman (jurist) (1784–1854), American jurist * David Allen Hoffman (born 1944), American mathematician * David E. Hoffman (born 1953), American writer and journalist * David Francis Hoffman (born 1946), Ameri ...

, several people * Donald D. Hoffman (born 1955), American cognitive psychologist and popular science author * Dorothea Hoffman (died 1710), Swedish hat maker * Dorothy Hoffman (1915–1996), American engineer * Doug Hoffman (born 1953), politician, congressional candidate *

Dustin Hoffman Dustin Lee Hoffman (born August 8, 1937) is an American actor. As one of the key actors in the formation of New Hollywood, Hoffman is known for Dustin Hoffman filmography, his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and emotionally vulnerable charac ...

(born 1937), American actor and film director *

Dutch Hoffman Clarence Casper "Dutch" Hoffman (January 28, 1904 – December 6, 1962) was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago White Sox in 1929.

(1904–1962), American baseball player

E

* E. T. A. Hoffmann (1776–1822), Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann, German Romantic author of fantasy and Gothic horror * Edward George Hoffman (1877–1931), American politician * Edward J. Hoffman (1942–2004), American professor, co-inventor of the PET scanner * Elaine Hoffman Watts (1932–2017), American klezmer drummer * Elisha Hoffman (1839–1929), American hymn composer * Elmer J. Hoffman (1899–1976), American politician * Emily Hoffman (1876–1927), American socialite * Ernst Reinhold von Hofmann (1801–1871), Russian geologist and mineralogist *

Eugene Augustus Hoffman Eugene Augustus Hoffman (March 21, 1829 – June 17, 1902) was an American Episcopal clergyman. Biography Eugene Augustus Hoffman was born in New York City on March 21, 1829, the son of Samuel Verplanck Hoffman. He was educated at Columbia Gra ...

(1829–1902), American clergyman *

Eva Hoffman Eva Hoffman (born Ewa Wydra on 1 July 1945) is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning writer and academic. Early life and education Eva Hoffman was born in Kraków, Poland, shortly after World War II. Her parents, Boris and Maria Wydra, surv ...

(born 1945), Polish-American writer

F

* F. Burrall Hoffman (1882–1980), American architect * Fabian Hoffman (1917–1980), American football player *

François-Benoît Hoffman François-Benoît Hoffman (; 11 July 1760 – 25 April 1828) was a French playwright and critic, best known today for his operatic librettos, including those set to music by Étienne Méhul and Luigi Cherubini (most notably Cherubini's ''Médée' ...

(1760–1828), French playwright and critic * Frederick Ludwig Hoffman (1865–1946), American statistician

G

Gene L. Hoffman Gene L. Hoffman (September 26, 1932 – December 28, 2007) was an American educator and politician. Born on a farm near Canton, Illinois, Hoffman served in the United States Army. He received his bachelor's degree from Illinois State Universi ...

(1932–2007), American educator and politician * George H. Hoffman (1838–1922), South Dakota politician * Glenn Hoffman (born 1958), American baseball player, coach, and manager * Grace Hoffman (1921–2008), American operatic mezzo-soprano and academic teacher * Gregory Hofmann (born 1992), Swiss ice hockey player

H

* Hans Georg Hofmann (1873-1942), German politician * H. Lawrence Hoffman (1911–1977), American illustrator * Harold G. Hoffman (1896–1954), American politician and governor of New Jersey * Heinrich Hoffman (1836–1894), American Civil War Corporal in the Union Army *

Heinrich Hoffmann (photographer) Heinrich Hoffmann (12 September 1885 – 16 December 1957) was Adolf Hitler's official photographer, and a Nazi politician and publisher, who was a member of Hitler's inner circle. Hoffmann's photographs were a significant part of Hitler's propa ...

(1885–1957), Hitler's personal photographer and Nazi politician * Henry William Hoffman (1825–1895), American politician

I

Irwin Hoffman Irwin Hoffman (November 26, 1924 – March 19, 2018) was an American conductor active in North America and Latin America. Hoffman studied at the Juilliard School and was a protégé of Serge Koussevitsky, and he made his conducting debut at the ...

(1924–2018), North American and Latin American Conductor * Izzy Hoffman (1875–1942), American baseball player

J

Jack Hoffman Jack Hoffman (September26, 2005January15, 2025) was an American high school football player and pediatric brain cancer patient. In 2012, between his first and second brain surgeries, he was introduced to Rex Burkhead, then a football player f ...

(2005—2025), American pediatric cancer patient * Jack Hoffman (American football) (1930–2001), American football player *

Jackie Hoffman Jacqueline Laura Hoffman (born November 29, 1960) is an American actress, singer, and comedian known for her one-woman shows of Jewish-themed original songs and monologues. She is a veteran of Chicago's famed The Second City comedy improv group. ...

(born 1960), American actress and stand-up comedian * Jacob Hoffman (1881–1956), Hungarian rabbi * Jacob Hoffman (musician) (died 1974), American xylophone player *

Jan Hoffmann Jan Hoffmann (born 26 October 1955) is a German figure skater who represented East Germany in competition. A four-time Olympian, he is the 1980 Olympic silver medalist, the 1974 & 1980 World Champion, and a four-time (1974, 1977–1979) Eu ...

(born 1955), German figure skater * Janice Hoffman, birth name of Janice H. Levin (1913–2001), philanthropist and art collector from New York City *

Jason Hoffman Jason Hoffman (born 28 January 1989) is an Australian association football player who currently plays for Newcastle Olympic FC. He is the most capped player in Newcastle Jets history. Club career Hoffman was developed through NSW Institute o ...

(born 1989), Australian football (soccer) player * Jay Hoffman (rugby league) (born 1958), Australian rugby league footballer *

Jean Hoffman (water polo) Jean Hoffman (born 29 September 1893, date of death unknown) was a Belgium, Belgian water polo player who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics. He was part of the Belgian water polo team, which won a bronze medal. References External links

...

(1893–?), Belgian water polo player * Jeff Hoffman (born 1993), American baseball player * Jeffrey A. Hoffman (born 1944), American astronaut *

Jerzy Hoffman Jerzy Julian Hoffman (; born 15 March 1932) is a Polish director, screenwriter, and producer. He received the Polish Academy Life Achievement Award in February 2006. Hoffman is best known for his works in ''The Deluge (film), The Deluge'' (1974) ...

(born 1932), Polish film director and screenwriter * Jessie Hoffman Jr. (1978–2025), American convicted murderer executed in Louisiana *

Joanna Hoffman Joanna Karine Hoffman (born July 27, 1955) is a Polish-American marketing executive. She was one of the original members of both the Apple Macintosh team and the NeXT team. At the time she began at Apple Computer, the Mac was "still a research ...

(born 1953), Polish-born American computer executive * John Hoffman (filmmaker) (1904–1980), Hungarian-American filmmaker *

John T. Hoffman John Thompson Hoffman (January 10, 1828March 24, 1888) was the 23rd governor of New York (1869–72). He was also recorder of New York City (1861–65) and the 78th mayor of New York City (1866–68). Connections to the Tweed Ring ...

(1828–1888), governor of New York state and mayor of New York City *

Josef Hofmann Josef Casimir Hofmann (originally Józef Kazimierz Hofmann; January 20, 1876February 16, 1957) was a Polish-American pianist, composer, music teacher, and inventor. Biography Josef Hofmann was born in Podgórze (a district of Kraków), in Aus ...

(1876–1954), Polish-American pianist, composer, music teacher, and inventor * Josef Anton Hofmann (1924–2010), London-born American audio engineer, son of Josef Hofmann * Josh Hoffman (born 1988), Australian Rugby League player * Josiah Ogden Hoffman (1766–1837), New York State Attorney General 1795–1802 * Josias Philip Hoffman (1807–1879), Boer politician and first President of the Orange Free State * Jules Hoffman, American children's musician * Julius Hoffman (1895–1983), presiding judge in the Chicago Eight trial

K

* Karla Hoffman, American operations researcher * Katherine B. Hoffman (1914–2020), American chemist and academic administrator * Klaus H. Hofmann (1911–1995), American chemist * Klementyna Hoffmanowa (1798–1845), Polish writer and translator

L

* Larry Hoffman (1878–1948), American baseball player * Lauren Hoffman (born 1977), American singer *

Lyman Hoffman Lyman F. Hoffman (born February 13, 1950) is a Yup'ik politician and Democratic member of the Alaska Senate since 1995. He represents the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Peninsula, and Aleutian Islands. He also served in the Senate from 1991 to 19 ...

(born 1950), member of the Alaska Senate

M

Malvina Hoffman Malvina Cornell Hoffman (June 15, 1885July 10, 1966) was an American sculpture, sculptor and author, well known for her life-size bronze sculptures of people. She also worked in plaster and marble. Hoffman created portrait busts of working-class ...

(1887–1966), American sculptor and author * Mani Hoffman (born 1975), French singer and songwriter * Manny Hoffman (1937–2013), American politician and businessman * Marc Hoffman (born 1961), American composer * Mark González Hoffman (born 1984), Chilean footballer * Mat Hoffman (born 1972), American BMX rider * Matthew Hoffman (murderer) (born 1980), American triple murderer *

Max Hoffman Maximilian Edwin Hoffman (12 November 1904 – 9 August 1981), was an Austrian-born, New York-based importer of luxury European automobiles during the 1950s. Known equally for his acumen and influence, Hoffman was instrumental in development ...

(1904–1981), Austrian-born importer of European automobiles into the United States * Melchior Hoffman (c. 1490 – 1543), 16th-century German religious leader *

Michael Hoffman (director) Michael Lynn Hoffman (Hawaii, November 30, 1956) is an American film director. Early life and education Hoffman was born in Hawaii: the son of Dorothy (Harper) and Glenn R. Hoffman, who was stationed in the navy in Hawaii at the time. He grew u ...

(born 1956), American movie director * Michael A. Hoffman (1944–1990), American archaeologist * Michael A. Hoffman II (born 1954), American Holocaust denier * Michelle Hofmann, Australian politician * Mike Hoffman (born 1989), Canadian ice hockey player * Monty Hoffman (1952–2013), American actor and writer, known for Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen * Myer Hoffman (1902–1959), English-born Irish cricketer * Myn M. Hoffman (1883–1951), American military nurse

N

* Nadine Hoffman, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player * Nanna Hoffman (1846–1920), Swedish entrepreneur *

Nicholas von Hoffman Nicholas von Hoffman (October 16, 1929 – February 1, 2018) was an American journalist and author. He first worked as a community organizer for Saul Alinsky in Chicago for ten years from 1953 to 1963. Later, Von Hoffman wrote for ''The Washingt ...

(1929–2018), American journalist *

Neil Hoffman Neil J. Hoffman (born ), is an American educator, and academic administrator. He served as a college and art school president for multiple educational organizations. Hoffman served as president of School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) fr ...

(), American academic administrator, college president, educator *

Nina Kiriki Hoffman Nina Kiriki Hoffman (born March 20, 1955, in San Gabriel, California) is an American fantasy, science fiction and horror writer. Profile Hoffman started publishing short stories in 1975. Her first nationally published short story appeared in ' ...

(born 1955), American fantasy author * Noah Hoffman (born 1989), American Olympic skier

O

* Ogden Hoffman (1794–1856), New York State Attorney General 1854–1855 * Ogden Hoffman Jr. (1822–1891), American federal judge *

Otto Hoffman Otto F. Hoffman (May 2, 1879 – June 23, 1944) was an American film actor. He appeared in almost 200 films between 1915 and 1944. He was born in New York City and died in Los Angeles, California, from lung cancer. Hoffman's Broadway credi ...

(1879–1944), American film actor

P

Paul Hoffman (basketball) Paul Jacob Hoffman (May 5, 1925 – November 12, 1998) was an American professional basketball player. High school and college career Hoffman, a 6'2" guard (basketball), guard/forward (basketball), forward, attended Jasper High School in Jasper ...

(1925–1998), American basketball player *

Paul G. Hoffman Paul Gray Hoffman (April 26, 1891October 8, 1974) was an American automobile company executive, statesman, and global development aid administrator. He was the first administrator of the Economic Cooperation Administration, where he led the imp ...

(1891–1974), American automobile company executive *

Philip Hoffman (disambiguation) Philip Hoffman or other variants may refer to: Actors *Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967–2014), Academy Award-winning American actor *Philip Hoffman (Broadway actor) (born 1954), Broadway actor in ''Into the Woods'' Politicians *Philip Hoffman (Brit ...

, several people

R

* Rachel Hoffman (1984–2008), American student, murder victim in botched drug sting *

Reid Hoffman Reid Garrett Hoffman (born August 5, 1967) is an American internet entrepreneur, venture capitalist, podcaster, and author. Hoffman is the co-founder and former executive chairman of LinkedIn, a business-oriented social network used primarily ...

(born 1967), American entrepreneur *

Richard Hoffman (disambiguation) Richard Hof(f)man(n) may refer to: * Richard Hoffman (composer) (1831–1909), English-born American pianist and composer * Richard Hofmann (composer) Richard Hofmann (30 April 1844 – 11 November 1918) was a Germans, German composer and music ...

, several people *

Rick Hoffman Rick Hoffman (born June 12, 1970) is an American actor. He is known for playing Jerry Best in the Fox sitcom ''The Bernie Mac Show'' (2002–2005), Chase Chapman in the ABC comedy series ''Samantha Who?'' (2007–2009) and Louis Litt in the USA ...

, American actor *

Robert Hoffman (disambiguation) Robert or Bob Hoffman may refer to: * Robert Hoffman (actor) (born 1980), American actor * Bob Hoffman (basketball) (born 1957), American basketball coach * Robert Hoffman (businessman) (1947–2006), American businessman * Bob Hoffman (America ...

, several people

S

* Samuel Hoffman (1903–1967), American thereminist *

Steve Hoffman (disambiguation) Steve or Steven Hoffman may refer to: *Steve Hoffman (American football) (born 1958), American football player and coach *Steve Hoffman (audio engineer) (born 1951), audio and mastering engineer. *Steven Hoffman (Australian footballer) (born 1951), ...

, several people

T

* Tex Hoffman (1893–1947), American baseball player * Thom Hoffman (born 1957), Dutch actor and photographer * Toni Hoffman, Australian nurse and whistleblower *

Trevor Hoffman Trevor William Hoffman (born October 13, 1967) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 18 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1993 to 2010. A long-time closer, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, ...

(born 1967), Major League Baseball pitcher *

Tristan Hoffman Tristan Henri Christiaan Hoffman (born 1 January 1970 in Groenlo, Oost Gelre) is a Dutch former road racing cyclist. After his racing years he became a directeur sportif for Team CSC, and later for . He also competed in the men's individual road ...

(born 1970), Dutch road racing cyclist

V

* Victor Ernest Hoffman (1946–2004), Canadian mass murderer

W

William Hoffman (disambiguation) William Hoffman may refer to: * William Hoffman (author) (1925–2009), American novelist * William Hoffman (painter) (1924–1995), American painter * William Hoffman (United States Army) (1807–1884), American military officer, led the Colorado ...

, several people {{surname German-language surnames Occupational surnames Yiddish-language surnames Surnames of Jewish origin