Surname Kempker - Meaning and Origin
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Kempker: What does the surname Kempker mean?
The surname Kempker is of German origin, and is derived from the German personal name Kemper, meaning an armoured horseman or a military leader. This may indicate that the family was of a high military standing. It is believed to be either a patronymic or a locational name, as the suffix 'er' implies a person who lives in particular vicinity.
Over the centuries, the Kempker surname has spread to many countries including Austria, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United States, and Canada. In the United States, it can be found in far-flung regions such as Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Missouri.
There are different variations of the surname Kempker and they include Kamper, Kemper, Kempinger, Kimper, and Kempfer. The variations are a result of phonetic spelling changes, due to dialect and language peculiarities.
The Kempker name has been used as a honorary name or title in marriage and baptismal certificates over the years. It has also been a popular choice for middle names for many families around the world.
Overall, the Kempker surname encapsulates centuries of heritage, and denotes a family of varied yet illustrious lineage. It is a reminder of the immigrant journey of the Kempker family and of the dedicated military background that has formed the identity of this proud surname.
Order DNA origin analysisKempker: Where does the name Kempker come from?
Kempker is a surname found primarily in Germany. Today, the Kempker name is most common in the regions of Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg. Most of the people with this surname are descended from families that lived in those regions over the centuries. In more recent times, Kempkers have also spread to other parts of Germany and to other countries.
In North America, Kempker is among the more rare last names. In the United States, the Kempker surname is found mostly in Missouri, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Oregon. Many of these Kempkers are descendants of immigrants from Germany who set out for America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are also a few Kempkers living in Canada, primarily in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
In Europe, Kempkers are particularly found in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. There are smaller numbers of Kempkers living in the surrounding nations such as France, Belgium, and the Czech Republic.
Overall, Kempker is a German surname that has been slowly spreading throughout different countries and regions. As more people move to new locations, the name is becoming more common in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Kempker
The Kempker surname has a variety of spellings and variants originating from the German language. The variants can be divided into four separate categories: patronymic forms, prepositional forms, locative forms, and other foreign forms.
Patronymic forms involve using the suffix "-sen," which is a possessive form and indicates belonging to a family name. Examples of this would be Kempker, Kempfers, Kempers, Kempens, Kemp Extensions, and Kempfersson.
Prepositional forms are those that combine the two surnames of the parents, and typically involve the use of the preposition "von" or hamlet name followed by the father’s surname. Examples of this would be Kempker von Kempfers, Kempferskempfers, Kempferer-Kempker, Kempfers-Kempten, Kempferstadt-Kempker, Kempfers-Bruchman, and Kempfferstein-Kempker.
Locative forms are when a hamlet name is followed by the father’s surname, or when two hamlet names are combined. Examples of this would be Kempker aus Kempfers, Kempferstan-Kempker, Kempfershausen-Kempker, Kempfersdorf-Kempker, Kempfersmuhle-Kempker, and Kempfershof-Kempker.
Foreign forms are those surnames that are derived from languages other than German. Examples of this would be Kempker from English, Kempka from Czech, Kempka from Polish, Kempikj from Dutch, Kempke from Danish, Kempkin from Russian, and Kempka from Hungarian.
No matter the spelling or the variant of the Kempker surname, they all stem from the same origin of being descendants of the Kempfers family.
Famous people with the name Kempker
- Hermann Kempker: German football manager and professional player.
- Katie Kempker: American fashion and beauty influencer, based in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Duncan Kempker: American classical conductor and concert organist.
- Landon Kempker: American actor, best known for his role in the television series “The Biggest Loser”.
- Cody Kempker: American YouTuber, comedian, and former United States Navy sailor.
- Dominik Kempker: German rugby union player.
- Florian Kempker: German football player.
- Brett Kempker: American football player.
- Hal Kempker: American football coach and player.
- Kayley Kempker: American news anchor and journalist.
- Jenny Kempker: American entrepreneur and businesswoman.
- Milly Kempker: American film producer and director.
- Dave Kempker: American entrepreneur, iOS developer, and founder of Appster.
- Anna Kempker: Russian fashion designer.
- Willa Kempker: British television and theatre actress.
- Philippe Kempker: Belgian entrepreneur and investor.
- Tobias Kempker: Austrian entrepreneur, co-founder of Baidu.
- Tom Kempker: Dutch comedian and entertainer.
- Ray Kempker: American professional basketball player and coach.
- Teddy Kempker: German actor and voice actor.