Surname Kemnitzer - Meaning and Origin

Kemnitzer: What does the surname Kemnitzer mean?

Kemnitzer is a German surname derived from an occupational name for a cook. The original meaning of the word “Kemnitzer” is likely related to the Middle High German “kümme” which is a tool used by cooks to chop or grind food. By extension, the surname could also refer to someone Who made or sold this tool.

The name is most common in Germany, Austria, and Poland, with a few other smaller pockets of population found in Switzerland and the United States. It is likely that Kemnitzer's origins were found in Germany, as most of its bearers are German-speakers.

Today, the Kemnitzer name is most commonly found in the United States, with over 19,000 people bearing the surname in the US in 2020. Many of these Americans are descendants of immigrants who settled in the US during the nineteenth century.

Kemnitzer's have been heavily involved in innovation and entrepreneurship for generations. Arnold J. Kemnitzer was an American entrepreneur who founded the technology company General Digital. The company is credited with developing some of the earliest computers and is now known for its scientific and medical equipment.

The Kemnitzer legacy is also found in academia and literature. Leon Kemnitzer, author of the book “Kemnitzer: A History of the German and Jewish Experience,” is the son of Jewish Holocaust survivors.

Kemnitzer is an occupational surname, bearing a rich legacy of entrepreneurship, innovation, and scholarship around the world. Its legacy continues to be carried on by the descendants of those coming to the United States in search of a better life.

Kemnitzer: Where does the name Kemnitzer come from?

The last name Kemnitzer is primarily found in Germany and is of Germanic origin, meaning “warrior” or “soldier.” While the family name was once common throughout many regions of Germany, it is not nearly as common today.

Currently, the greatest concentration of Kemnitzers is in the southern German state of Bavaria. The cities of Munich, Augsburg, and Nuremberg all hold densely populated areas of residents with the Kemnitzer last name. Furthermore, the nearby cities of Bamberg and Regensburg have considerably large populations of people with the Kemnitzer name.

While Germany continues to be the home to the largest population share of Kemnitzers, the family's reach does extend beyond its borders. North American countries such as the United States, Canada, and Mexico hold their own smaller populations of Kemnitzers. Additionally, countries in South America and Europe, such as the United Kingdom and Switzerland, also house a few individuals with the last name Kemnitzer.

Given the rich historical and cultural background of the Kemnitzer family, it is very likely that the name will continue to live far and wide for generations to come.

Variations of the surname Kemnitzer

Kemnitzer is a surname of German origin believed to be derived from "Kemminger", the German equivalent of "Kimmerle". It is believed to have been a result of a change in dialects over time.

Kemnitzer and Kimmerle are the two main variants of this surname. Other phonetic variants and surnames of the same origin that can be found are Kämminger, Kämmig, Kämmeck, Kämmerle, Kimele, Kimerly, Kimmerling, Kümmerle, Kümmerling, Kümmig, Neuenhauser and Neuhauser.

This surname can be found predominantly in Germany and Austria, although some emigrants have adopted this surname in specifically in the United States, where it is often spelled with the "-erle" or "-verle" endings (Kemerle, Kimerle, Kimererle, Kimmererle).

Kemnitzer is also an alternative spelling of the surname Kemnitz, which is thought to be derived from the place-name Kemnitz, which in turn is a contraction of Kämptenitz, meaning the estate of a count. Additionally, some sources suggest that Kemnitzer is an alternative spelling of the Jewish surname Kamenitz.

Famous people with the name Kemnitzer

• Bob Kemnitzer: Bob Kemnitzer served as a professional baseball player in the major leagues from 1947 to 1952. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, and Philadelphia Phillies.
• Joe Kemnitzer: Joe Kemnitzer is an actor known for his work in films such as “Code Name: Wolf” (1978), “The Mafu Cage” (1978), and “Betrayed” (1987).
• Paul Kemnitzer: Paul Kemnitzer was an American theater and film producer. He produced films such as “The Warriors” (1979) and “The World According to Garp” (1982).
• Harold Kemnitzer: Harold Kemnitzer was an American jurist who served as a Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court from 1982 to 1998.
• James Kemnitzer: James Kemnitzer was the president of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) from 1957 to 1958.
• Carolyn Kemnitzer: Carolyn Kemnitzer is an American film editor who began her career in the 1980s. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work on the television miniseries “North and South” (1985).
• Monica Kemnitzer: Monica Kemnitzer is an American model and actress. She appeared in movies such as “Hoodlum” (1997), “American Beauty” (1999), and “Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle” (2003).
• Nik Kemnitzer: Nik Kemnitzer is a German actor and comedian. He is best known for his roles in films such as “Schultze Gets the Blues” (2003) and “Hearts of Glass” (2005).

Other surnames

Kemnitz