Surname Kempke - Meaning and Origin
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Kempke: What does the surname Kempke mean?
Kempke is a surname of Germanic origin with roots in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old High German “Kempc,” which means “warrior” or “virile man.” The leading family of Kempkes were lords and princes of the area comprised of modern day Schleswig-Holstein and western Mecklenburg.
The Kempkes enjoyed a long line of nobility and wealth, often ruling over substantial tracts of land from their estates. As time went on, the Kempke name began to spread throughout Germany and beyond, taking its origin to areas such as Austria, the Netherlands, and even the United States.
The name Kempke often survives today as a surname but can also be seen in various places and things. For example, the village of Kempkenhof in Germany is believed to be named after the Kempke family, and the Kempke family is even featured on the coat of arms of Rehmsdorf.
The Kempke name is generally associated with money, power, and rank, and reflects the importance of its former bearers to the communities in which they lived. It is a reminder of the many accomplishments of the Kempke family and their loyal and devoted service to their respective territories throughout the ages.
Order DNA origin analysisKempke: Where does the name Kempke come from?
Today, the Kempke surname primarily appears in regions of Europe, specifically Germany. It is a German surname likely derived from the Middle High German word “kempen,” which means a wrestler or a boxer. It appears in records dating back to the 13th century in Saxony, where it is most heavily concentrated today. For instance, a large concentration of Kempkes are located in the east German state of Brandenburg. Among smaller clusters, there are also Kempkes living in the United States of America, particularly in Minnesota and Wisconsin states. The highest concentration of Kempkes in the US is found in Minnesota.
The most common profession held by those with the surname Kempke is construction related trades. Some Kempkes may be librarians or teachers, although such professions are rare. Some Kempkes are also found in entrepreneurial roles and small business ownership.
Overall, the Kempke surname today is most commonly found in German speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Clusters of Kempkes are also found in the Netherlands, Denmark, and in the United States.
Variations of the surname Kempke
Kempke is a surname of German origin, deriving from 'Kempen' which means 'commune' or 'region' and 'ke,' an added suffix used to denote smallness or an endearing term. The Kempkes are thought to be descended from the Dutch province of North Brabant and this surname may have originally referred to someone living in the Kempene region or working in a local trade. Kempkes are also found in Poland and may be related to the Polish name Kempka.
There are several different spellings and variants of the Kempke surname, including Kemke, Kempen, Kemper, Kempf, Kempff, Kempster, Kempter, Kempkes, Kempkowski, Kempner, Kempes, Kampke, Kempfke, Kempken, Kempner, Kempers, Kempfke, Kempenaar, and Kempkens.
As with many surnames, changes have likely occurred over time and in different countries. Kempke, Kempen, and Kemper are the most widely used variations of the surname in Europe. This has led to further variations, such as Kempf, Kempster, Kempter, Kempfke, Kempken, and Kempner. In Poland specifically, the Kempka surname is closely related to Kempke.
Therefore, the Kempke surname is one with many different spellings and variants. These variants can trace their roots to a variety of countries, regions, and time periods, making it a unique surname in its own right.
Famous people with the name Kempke
- Tyler Kempke: Major League Baseball player
- Christoph Kempke: German swimmer
- Anna Kempke: German TV presenter
- Martin Kempke: German Politician
- Timo Kempke: German hurdler
- Ryan Kempke: American football player
- Eddie Kempke: American football coach
- Auguste Kempke: German writer
- Valeri Kempke: Canadian football player
- Jessie Kempke: Australian surfer