Surname Kempfle - Meaning and Origin

Kempfle: What does the surname Kempfle mean?

The last name Kempfle is of German origin, derived from the Middle German words “kampfle” (war) and “kampf” (struggle). Along with the root words, Kempfle has been used as an occupational name as well as to denote a person’s physical stature. As with other German surnames ending in -fle, it suggests origins in a small rural settlement or dwelling place.

The earliest documented forms of Kempfle were Kampfil, Kampfle, Kampflin, and Kompfle, which appear in many parts of present day Germany. It is most notably found in the regions of Alsace, Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. During the Middle Ages, Germany was the center for many battles and wars, so Kempfle would have been used to denote a fighter in battle or a person who had a stature associated with warfare and strategy.

Since the Middle Ages, many people bearing the Kempfle surname have achieved great success in different fields. Notable bearers of the last name include German businessman Ferdinand Kempfle, renowned German photographer Germaine Kempfle, and Austrian physicist Josef Kempfle.

In conclusion, the Kempfle surname stretch back centuries in Germany with the most common use being a term to denote a person of stature associated with warfare. Today the surname can be found around the globe and is associated with many successful individuals.

Kempfle: Where does the name Kempfle come from?

The last name Kempfle is generally associated with Germany and Switzerland, though it is used in various other locations too. Within Germany, the Kempfle name is most commonly found in Bavaria, specifically in the Franconian region. In Switzerland, the Kempfle name is mainly concentrated in the eastern part of the country, particularly in the canton of St. Gallen.

Outside of Germany and Switzerland, the Kempfle name is also used in Austria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and parts of the United States, including states like Texas, New Jersey, and California.

In the United States, the Kempfle name is not incredibly common but is still used in many regions. It is most heavily concentrated in the Midwestern states of Michigan and Wisconsin, and is also fairly well represented in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Illinois.

Though the Kempfle name is not nearly as common as it once was, due to some shedding of the name (be it intentional or unintentional) throughout its history, it is still found in locations around the world. It is unclear how the name first spread across the globe, though many believe that it is related to the original Kempfle family from Germany.

Variations of the surname Kempfle

Kempfle (also known as Kempfel, Kempffel, Kemple, Kempler, Kempfer, Kempe) is a surname derived from the Old High German word Kemppenfle, in reference to someone who was a soldier or a warrior. In the Middle Ages, it was a title that was given to a knight or a squire.

The surname is mainly found in Germany, but it can be found in other countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, and Poland. Its variations are found in all countries. In the United States, Kempler is the most common variant of this surname.

The literal meaning of the word Kemppenfle, from which the surname is derived, is “armor bear”. This suggests that those with the surname Kempfle were either the wearers of armors or people assigned to armoring knights and squires during the medieval period.

Apart from being a surname, Kempfle is also the name of a village in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria, Germany. This place was mentioned in the 12th century as Kemppenvelde and in the 16th century as Kemppenvelt.

The spelling of the surname may slightly change in different countries. For example, in some countries, the spelling of Kempfle may be Kemptfle, Kempfel, Kempler, or Kempe. Similarly, in some countries, the spelling may be Kempffel or Kempfer.

In conclusion, Kempfle is a German surname derived from the word Kemppenfle, which literally means “armor bear”. Its variations are found in different countries, particularly Kempler and Kempe in the United States. Its spelling may vary in different countries.

Famous people with the name Kempfle

• Angela Kempfle: Angela Kempfle is an American actress from Austin, Texas. She is known for her roles in the television series "Scream Queens," "The Flash," and "Venom," and films such as "Sextuplets," "The Unbelievable," and "Second Chances.""
• Brock Kempfle: Brock Kempfle is an American professional swimmer from Cleveland, Ohio. He competed in the 2016 Olympic Games, and has won several medals at the NCAA Division I swimming championships.
• Rob Kempfle: Rob Kempfle is an American musician and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. He has written and produced songs for various artists, including Dylan Scott, Aaron Watson, and Nashelldadge.
• Patty Kempfle: Patty Kempfle is an American conservation photographer from Washington, DC. She specializes in documenting the resilient beauty of the natural world, from landscapes to wildlife to human impact.
• Chaz Kempfle: Chaz Kempfle is an American professional race car driver from Daytona, Florida. He has competed in the Indy 500 and is currently driving for the Honda Racing Team.
• Kent Kempfle: Kent Kempfle is an American astrophysicist from Queens, New York. He is currently serving as the Chief Scientific Advisor to the United Nations and has been researching space exploration for the past 30 years.
• Monica Kempfle: Monica Kempfle is an American fashion designer from Boston, Massachusetts. She is currently the Creative Director of the popular women's fashion line Monki. Her designs have been featured in publications such as Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar.

Other surnames

KempfKempfeKempferKempff