Surname Kempff - Meaning and Origin

Kempff: What does the surname Kempff mean?

The last name Kempff is of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from the Middle High German phrase “Kampf” meaning battle, fight, or struggle. Subsequently, the name derived from someone who was involved in a physical battle or combat.

As the name spread throughout Europe it also came to be used as a toponymic, popular among those living in areas that may have been involved in an important battle or skirmish. Those with the last name Kempff are likely to be descended from those who participated in such battles.

The name likely became increasingly popular during the Middle Ages and continued to grow in popularity until it eventually spread throughout many parts of Europe. It is notable that the last name Kempff is common throughout Germany, although people with the name may live in other parts of the world too.

It is also possible that Kempff tyere some sort of occupational name, as those with the last name are likely to have been involved in manufacturing or production of some type in some way.

Today, those with the last name Kempff are likely to be of Germanic descent, and are probably descended from warrior-like people with a strong connection to physical struggle and combat.

Kempff: Where does the name Kempff come from?

The last name Kempff is most commonly associated with modern-day Germany. Specifically, the Kempffs descended from an old German noble family of the Principality of Waldeck in Germany and were part of the Brandenburg/Prussia line of royalty. Dating back to the 1300’s, the Kempff family was given landholdings and estates by the Welf’s, counting among their members influential statesmen, ministers, and officers of the chamber of Brandenburg-Prussia and the German Reich.

Today, the Kempff family is represented with populations in Germany, the United States, and Canada. The Kempff who left Germany for other countries did so mostly during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Some immigrants to the United States were also farmers who later settled down in the Midwest. In Canada, they were largely concentrated in themade of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

The most notable member of the Kempff family in the United States was D. Kern Kempff of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Known most famously as the founder of Kempff Mercantile, a department store established in 1883, his successful business created hundreds of jobs and provided a boost to the region’s economic growth.

In Germany, Kempffs still live in the city of Bad Pyrmont, where their ancestors have been residing since the 1300’s. Within the city, numerous Kempff-owned shops can be found, providing locals with anything from bread, cheese, and mushrooms to wooden goods and antiques. The Kempffs are also known for having a rich, traditional culture and for their philanthropy. They founded a foundation in the city to help revitalize the economy and education system.

Today, the Kempff family is still represented in many countries around the world. Though their legacies and influence have experienced slow erosion over time, the Kempffs continue to uphold their tradition of culture and philanthropy.

Variations of the surname Kempff

The surname Kempff is a German and Dutch surname that appears in many variations and spellings. Epskamp, Kempl, Kemp, Kempf, Kempfel, Kempfe, Kempfer, Kempffer, Kempff, Kempffer, Kempman, Kemple and Kemps are all variants of the surname Kempff and stem from the Dutch or German word 'kemp'. This word itself is derived from the Old English word 'ceamp', meaning a warriors camp, or a military compound.

When migrated to different parts of Europe, some adopted different spelling variations such as Kemple, Kempfe and Kempfer which are more common variants in the UK. In the United States, Kempf and Kempff are the most common spelling iterations, while in Poland, common variations are Kemp and Kempel.

In Holland, immigrants often took on the name Epskamp, a combination of the old German 'kemp' and the Dutch 'kamp'. This variation is also common in Germany and Scandinavia.

The Kempff surname has also been known to take on various translations in some countries. Kempfel is the Yiddish translation of the surname and Kempffer is the modern-day Italian version. Other English variations of Kempff include Kemman, Kempman, and Kemple.

Overall, Kempff is a surname with strong roots and a lengthy history. It has spread and taken on many different forms, but all variations of the name can still be traced to its namesake, the old English 'ceamp'.

Famous people with the name Kempff

• Wilhelm Kempff: A notable German pianist, composer, and conductor, active in the twentieth century. He was awarded the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize in 1975.
• Hartmut Kempff: A former football goalkeeper who competed for Germany in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
• Paul Kempff: A German symphonic and operatic composer from the 19th century.
• Arthur Kempff: A former East German footballer who was part of East Germany's squad at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.
• Christopher Kempff: A German comics creator, best known for his French comic series called Murena.
• Astrid Kempff: An actress, most active in the 1950s. She starred in the German television series Die Tore der Welt and in 1958 starred in the film Michael.
• Walter Kempff: A German actor, director, and producer active from 1924 until 1952.
• Jürgen Kempff: A German politician and member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party.
• Dirk Kempff: A former German swimmer who won a silver medal for East Germany in the Men's 4×200 Meter Freestyle Relay at the 1973 World Aquatics Championships in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
• Lauren Kempff: A professional soccer player, active from 2008–2013.
• Lars Kempff: An award-winning architect from Berlin, Germany. He founded the Brandenburg City Block project, a stylish, open plan construction that won the Brandenburg Architecture Prize in 2008.

Other surnames

KempfKempfeKempferKempfle