Surname Kempling - Meaning and Origin

Kempling: What does the surname Kempling mean?

Kempling is a surname of German origin. The name is derived from the Old German for "village square" or "church courtyard". It is believed to be a locational name, which indicates that the original bearer of the surname lived near or was associated with a village square or church courtyard.

The spelling of the surname has evolved over time and, in some cases, has been altered beyond recognition. The earliest documented instance of the name dates back to 1439 in Bavaria, when it was spelled as Kemplng. As well as Germany, the name can also be found in areas such as the Low Countries, Denmark, France, and Britain.

It is believed that the surname is an occupational name of someone who was employed in an administrative capacity in either the village market or the church court near a village square. Today the name is spread throughout the world wherever German-speaking settlers settled, especially in the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand.

Kempling: Where does the name Kempling come from?

The surname Kempling is believed to be primarily of English origin. It is most commonly found living today in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Canada.

In the United Kingdom, the surname Kempling is found mainly in and around Lancashire, with a small presence in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It is also found more sporadically in other areas of England, such as Devon and Northamptonshire.

In the United States, the surname Kempling is most prevalent in the Midwest states of Illinois and Iowa. It can also be found in Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas.

In Australia, there is a notable presence of the Kempling surname in the states of Victoria and New South Wales, particularly in farming regions.

Lastly, in Canada, the surname is most commonly found in Ontario, particularly the Greater Toronto Area. The Kempling surname is also commonly found in Alberta and British Columbia.

Overall, those with the Kempling surname can be found across the English-speaking world, from London to Los Angeles, and from Sydney to Toronto.

Variations of the surname Kempling

Kempling is a surname of German and Dutch origin, and it is often spelled as Kempling or Kempelen. Variants of this surname include Kempel, Kempelman, Kemplin, Kemplen, Kempling, Kempfling, and Kempler.

In German, the surname Kempling is derived from the Old High German words “kempen” or “kempenel,” which mean somebody who was skilled at fencing or hunting with a spear or lance. The same surname denotes someone who is a skilled hunter of wild boar in Dutch.

Kempel is a variation that refers to a blinder, or someone who was skilled with leather work. Kempelman is another variation of Kempling and is derived from the Dutch word “kempelmand,” which translates to mean either the tradesman of a trade guild or a basket-maker.

Kemplin is derived from the Middle High German word “kemplich” which means someone who is expert in horsemanship and falconry. The variant Kemplen originates from he Old High German word “kempfel,” which denotes someone who is dexterous or skilful.

Kempfling is a variation of Kempling and is derived from the Old High German “kempovel,” meaning someone who was a hunter or forester. Kempler is derived from the Middle High German word “kempen,” which can also be translated to mean a skilled hunter, forester, or Border Guard.

Famous people with the name Kempling

• Christopher Kempling: Canadian psychologist whose efforts for gay rights earned him health and unemployment benefits hearings that went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada
• Ernst Kempling: German World War I flying ace credited with 25 aerial victories
• Jim Kempling: American professional basketball player for the Denver Rockets of the American Basketball Association
• Stanley Kempling: Canadian professional hockey player who played for teams such as the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks
• Arthur Kempling: English Member of Parliament for Batley from 1955-1970
• Pat Kempling: Canadian politician, library board administrator, and former business owner
• J. Dean Kempling: American writer and publisher, best known for his books about the Mohave Indians of southwestern Arizona
• Brian Kempling: Australian professional golf player
• William Kempling: American religious leader of the Latter Day Saint movement
• Niko Kempling: Dutch-Canadian visual artist and filmmaker

Other surnames

Kemplin