Surname Kaempfer - Meaning and Origin
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Kaempfer: What does the surname Kaempfer mean?
The last name Kaempfer is believed to be of German origin and is derived from a nickname. The nickname was most likely derived from the German word “Kampf” meaning “battle”, referring to a person who was good at fighting or was known to take part in battles.
Over time, this name has been used for a variety of different people, from grand knights in the Middle Ages to professional wrestlers in modern times. The name is believed to have first appeared around the 13th century, and has since spread throughout Europe and eventually to the United States.
Today, the name Kaempfer is relatively common and has seen usage by various celebrities and prominent figures in the United States. It is a popular name amongst those of German ancestry, and is used to refer to someone who is brave and strong-willed, or one who is a fighter.
Overall, the last name Kaempfer is an enduring one with a long history. It is associated with those who excel in physical challenges or those who have the courage and strength of will to become a leader and conquer obstacles.
Order DNA origin analysisKaempfer: Where does the name Kaempfer come from?
The last name Kaempfer is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries, with significant numbers of people bearing the surname concentrated in the northwest of the country. It is most heavily concentrated in Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein. Outside of Germany, it is most prominent in the United States, where it is most commonly located in the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. Kaempfer can also be found in moderate numbers in Australia, particularly in Victoria, with a much smaller presence in the states of New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland.
Variations of the Kaempfer surname include Kämpfer, Kampfer, and Keampfer. The surname is derived from the Middle High German word kämpfer, meaning ‘soldier’ or ‘warrior’, and is thought to have been originally borne by somebody who served in the army or was employed as a mercenary soldier. It is possible the surname was also adopted as an occupational or nickname by craftspeople or tradesmen.
As well as appearing in North America and Australia, the Kaempfer surname is also present in smaller numbers in South America, particularly in Brazil and Argentina, Canada, and parts of Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and France.
Variations of the surname Kaempfer
The name Kaempfer means "champion" in German and Dutch. It is derived from the Middle High German words kaempe, meaning "champion," and fer, meaning "warrior." The earliest known bearer of this surname recorded was Simon Kämpfer, who was baptised in Spira, Baden-Württemberg, Germany in 1506.
Variants of the surname Kaempfer include Kaempe, Kämpf, Kämper, Kämmer, Kämpchen, Kempfer, Kämpe, Kemper, Kämmerle, Kämpferle, Kämmere, Kempf, Kemperle, Kämerer, Kämmerer, Kaempffer, Kemffer, Kempferle and Kampf.
Spellings in other languages for variants of the surname Kaempfer may include Kömper, Köhler, Kaempffers, Kemfers, Kempffer and Kämppfers in Dutch, Cömpffer, Kämper, Kämperle, Kämperin, Kömper, Kömpfers and Kömperin in German, and Kaemper, Kaemmper, Kaemperin, Kämpp and Kämperlein in Low German.
Surnames of similar origin include Kempe, Keimpe, Kamps, Kemps, Kämpe, Kämper, Kämpfer and Kampfer.
Famous people with the name Kaempfer
- Engelbert Kaempfer (1651–1716): German naturalist and physician known for his 1690 book, Amoenitatum Exoticarum, which featured information on Japan and the Japanese.
- Guido Kaempfer (1895–1973): German-born American aeronautical pioneer who founded the American Helicopter Society and was awarded multiple accolades, including the Collier Trophy.
- Amos Kaempfer (1919–2012): Canadian geologist and hydrologist who worked in the Geological Survey of Canada and later served as president of the Royal Society of Canada.
- Conrad Kaempfer (1568–1651): German botanist who wrote an important work on exotic plants, and is credited with documenting the use of tobacco in Japan.
- Luis Felipe Kaempfer (1844–1917): Brazilian lawyer and politician, one of the Companions of the Golden Fleece and later president of the Brazilian Supreme Court.
- Joachim Kaempfer (1616–1651): Dutch painter and printmaker whose pupil, Dirk Stoop, continued the work of Joachim Kaempfer in his late years.
- Ellen Kaempfer (born 1972): German former tennis player and entrepreneur, who won three ITF singles titles and represented Germany in the Fed Cup.
- Julia Kaempfer (born 2000): German figure skater who won the Junior Grand Prix in 2019 and is competing for a spot in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
- Wilhelm Martin Leberecht Kaempfer (1772–1850): Prussian-born physician, naturalist, and ethnographer who lived in Japan for two years and later wrote an account of the country, entitled Lettres edifiantes et curieuses.