Kempf History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The Kempf name is derived from the Middle High German word "kampf," meaning "fight;" thus it may have originally been an occupational name for a successful fighter; or perhaps a nickname for someone known to lose his temper.

Early Origins of the Kempf family

The surname Kempf was first found in Swabia, where the family contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation and would later play a large role in the political conflicts of the area. The family branched into many houses, many of which acquired estates and manors throughout the surrounding regions, where they played significant roles in the social and political affairs. Individual bearers of the name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include Friczsche Kempf of Eger, Bohemia (c.1392,) and Jacob Kempf of Strassburg (c.1295).

Early History of the Kempf family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kempf research. Another 191 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1758, 1759 and 1764 are included under the topic Early Kempf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kempf Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kempf, Kempfer, Kempfen, Kemphen, Kempfle, Kaempf, Kaempfer, Kaempfen, Kaemphen, Kaempfle, Kampf, Kampfer, Kampfen, Kamphen, Kampfle, Kempff, Kaempff, Kempffen, Kaempffen, Kempffe, Kaempffe and many more.

Early Notables of the Kempf family

Notables with the surname Kempf during this period were

Bernhard Dismas Kempf von Angret, who distinguished himself as an Austrian court advisor and Chancellory Director

Kempf Ranking

In the United States, the name Kempf is the 6,173^rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Kempf is ranked the 2,069^th most popular surname with an estimated 3,039 people with that name. 2

Kempf migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kempf Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Christian Kempf, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1733
Anna Maria Kempf, aged 38, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 3
Catharina Kempf, aged 2, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 3
Christian Kempf, aged 18, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 3
Conrade Kempf, aged 48, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kempf Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Anne Kempf, aged 21, who landed in New York, NY in 1848 3
Barbara Kempf, aged 16, who arrived in America in 1853 3
Christina Kempf, aged 7, who landed in America in 1853 3
Johannes Kempf, who arrived in America in 1853 3
Johs Kempf, aged 37, who landed in America in 1853 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kempf (post 1700) +

Starr Kempf (1917-1995), American sculptor, architect, and artist
Paul Friedrich Ferdinand Kempf (1856-1920), German astronomer
General Werner Kempf (1886-1964), German Panzer General in World War II, recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
Andreas "Kempfi" Kempf (b. 1967), German silver and two-time bronze medalist curler
Karl Kempf, German fighter pilot and flying ace in the Luftwaffe, during World War II, credited with 65 aerial victories, awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Julije Kempf (1864-1934), Croatian historian and writer
Franz Kempf OAM (b. 1926), Australian artist from Melbourne
Freddy Kempf (b. 1977), English classic pianist
Hippolyt Kempf (b. 1965), Swiss Nordic Olympic skier

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)