This surname HAAF was a German and Jewish occupational name for a potter, originally derived from the Old German word HAFEN, meaning pot or dish. This is the normal term for the occupation in southern Germany and Austria, and the German surname is confined largely to this area. The name is also spelt HAFFNER, HEFFNER, HAFNER and HAFEN. Surnames are divided into four categories, from occupations, nicknames, baptismal and locational. All the main types of these are found in German-speaking areas, and names derived from occupations and from nicknames are particularly common. A number of these are Jewish. Patronymic surnames are derived from vernacular Germanic given names, often honouring Christian saints. Regional and ethnic names are also common. The German preposition 'von (from) or 'of', used with habitation names, is taken as a mark of aristocracy, and usually denoted proprietorship of the village or estate from where they came. Some members of the nobility affected the form VON UND ZU with their titles. In eastern Germany there was a heavy influence both from and on neighbouring Slavonic languages. Many Prussian surnames are of Slavonic origin. A notable member of this name is Hugh Marston HEFNER (l926-) American editor and publisher, born in Chicago. His parents were Methodists, smoking, drinking and attending the cinema were forbidden. He attended Illinois University, did postgraduate work in psychology and worked as a personnel manager, advertising copywriter and in the subscriptions department of Esquire magazine until l952, when he resigned to start a new magazine. Investing l0,000 dollars, he published 'Playboy' in December l953 with the then unknown Marilyn Monroe posing nude. 'Girly' photographs, practical advice on sexual problems, men's talk and articles of high literary standard combined to make the magazine a notorious success and HEFNER a conspicuously wealthy man. The 'Playboy' empire extended into real estate, clubs (with the ludicrous 'bunnies') and sundry products. |
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