Surname Kampe - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kampe: What does the surname Kampe mean?
The last name Kampe is a German name, derived from the Old Norse language. It was originally spelled with a double 'm' and meant an occupation as a camp guard, coming from the Old Norse word "kampi", meaning camp or guard.
The name may have been adopted by hired camp guards of medieval Germanic rulers who protected their castles and fortifications. Alternatively, the early ancestors who carried the name may have worked as herdsmen or farmers living in a remote area, such as in isolated mountain meadows and valleys.
Over the centuries, the spelling of the name has evolved, and it is now common to find the spelling of Kampe. This surname was likely mainly concentrated in Germany's northern and eastern regions. With its frequency in Germany, it is likely that the Kampe surname spread to other regions as German immigrants moved to areas such as Scandinavia, the United States, and Canada, where the name can still be found today.
The name Kampe is still found throughout Germany and other countries. While the origin of the Kampe surname is linked to the military and farming professions, it is now found in a wide variety of professions and lifestyles.
Order DNA origin analysisKampe: Where does the name Kampe come from?
The last name Kampe is most commonly found in Germany, specifically in the area of Lower Saxony. In fact, data from the year 2018 indicates that nearly 11,000 people in that state go by the surname. Outside of the country’s borders, though, it becomes much harder to pinpoint exactly how popular the name is.
Slightly less common is the spelling Kämpe, which is primarily found in Sweden, Finland, and Russia. This variation has Swedish roots and references a brave warrior.
The last name is also found in countries such as Denmark, Netherlands, Poland, and France, but in significantly lower frequency.
In the United States, the name appears to be of more recent origin. The first Americans bearing the last name likely arrived by way of German-speaking Europe in the 1800s. Today, the name is found more often in the states of Louisiana, Texas, and Delaware, as well as lower in York and Pennsylvania.
Since many of those with a last name of Kampe are found in colonial regions, it may be that the name has ties to many other lesser-known European countries. However, further research is needed to know for sure.
Variations of the surname Kampe
The surname Kampe is an occupational Germanic surname, derived from the Old High German "kampan," meaning "to fight." Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Kamp, Kemp, Kempe, Kampf, Kamps, Kempf, Kampmann, Wampe, and Kampes. It also has several possible regional adaptations: Kampe and Kamppe in the Netherlands, Kampu in Finland, Kemppainen in Finland and Estonia, and Kamps in Germany.
The origin of this surname is believed to have originated from personal names beginning with the suffix "-kamp," which were used as a form of personal grassland for ancient Germanic peoples. According to one source, the name literally translates to "the man who fights." During the Middle Ages, those bearing the surname were most likely attendants to warriors or knights.
The first recorded instance of the surname Kampe dates back to 1329, with a man by the name of Henrig Kampe. Early instances derived from this initial spelling and the variants that followed were found throughout Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland. In modern times, many of these variants remain most common in Germanic countries, with “Kampf” and “Kampe” being the most prolific.
The surname Kampe has been around for many centuries, and its many variants are still found in Europe and beyond. It carries an interesting history of being used to denote individuals with a warrior-like mindset and those with a fighting spirit. While its spelling and regional forms may have evolved over centuries, the surname will always be connected with its origin of an old Germanic surname.
Famous people with the name Kampe
- Gary Kampe: Former professional Canadian football wide receiver.
- Martin Kampe: Cuban-German modern jazz concert pianist and composer.
- Pete Kampe: Retired professional Mexican soccer player.
- Eric Kampe: American professional ice hockey player.
- Peter Kampe: 17th-century German monk and exorcist.
- Robert Kampe: American professional hustler and former world-ranked pool player.
- Sonja Kampe: German actress known for her roles in the television series “Bolero” and “Der Kommissar”.
- Veronika Kampe: Austrian actor and singer.
- Frank Kampe: Retired professional Swiss footballer.
- Karen Kampe: American professional fitness instructor and former bodybuilder.