Contents [hide]

Kemp History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Kemp History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The distinguished Kemp family emerged in Pomerania, a territory of Germany and a maritime province of Prussia. Pomerania was bounded on the south by Brandenburg, on the west by Mecklenburg, and on the east by Poland. During the 5th century, Pomerania was settled by Pommern, who were a Slavic tribe. Pommern, which means on the sea, became the name of this region during the reign of the Charlemagne.

Early Origins of the Kemp family

The surname Kemp was first found in Pomerania, 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 Herward Kempe of Rostock, Pomerania who lived in the year 1257.

Early History of the Kemp family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kemp research. Another 328 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1658, 1679, 1680, 1816 and 1833 are included under the topic Early Kemp History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kemp Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kempen, Kempe, Kemp, Kaempen, Kaempe, Cempen, Caempen, Caempe, Kempendorf, Kempner, Cempner and many more.

Early Notables of the Kemp family

Prominent bearers of the name Kemp at this time were

Jacob Kemphen, Swedish captain who heroically defended the Damgarten Pass in 1679

Kemp World Ranking

In the United States, the name Kemp is the 588^th most popular surname with an estimated 49,740 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Kemp is ranked the 985^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,490 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Kemp is the 270^th popular surname with an estimated 12,694 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Kemp as 264^th with 2,299 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Kemp as 261^st with 22,950 people. 5 South Africa ranks Kemp as 639^th with 10,818 people. 6

Kemp migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kemp Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. William Kemp, aged 33, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "William and Thomas" 7
Mrs. Margaret Kemp, who arrived in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship "George" 7
William Kemp, who arrived in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship "George"
William Kemp, who arrived in New England aboard the ship "James" in 1635 7
Isack Kemp, aged 23, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kemp Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Wilhelm Kemp, who arrived in New York in 1709-1710 8
Casper Kemp, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1734
Dewald Kemp, who arrived in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania in 1743 8
Christian Kemp, who landed in Maryland in 1746-1747 8
Gilbert Kemp, who landed in Maryland in 1746-1747 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kemp Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Adam Kemp, aged 22, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1837 8
Ceaser Kemp, aged 24, who arrived in Key West, Fla in 1837 8
Sarah Kemp, aged 38, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1838 8
Rebecca Kemp, aged 16, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1838 8
Asemit Kemp, aged 1, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1839 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kemp Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. James Kemp, (b. 1873), aged 31, Cornish miner, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 19th June 1904 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 9
Mr. Josiah Kemp, (b. 1885), aged 19, Cornish settler, from Hayle, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th October 1904 en route to Utah, USA 9
Mr. Richard E. Kemp, (b. 1883), aged 22, Cornish engineer, from Hayle, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Caronia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 7th June 1905 en route to New York City, New York, USA 9
Mr. Alfred J. Kemp, (b. 1883), aged 22, English blacksmith travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 1st April 1905 en route to West Cornwall, Connecticut, USA 9
Miss Beatrice Kemp, (b. 1881), aged 24, English settler travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 1st April 1905 en route to West Cornwall, Connecticut, USA 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kemp migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kemp Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

William Kemp, who landed in Quebec in 1784
Mr. Kemp James U.E. who settled in Fredericksburgh [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1784 10
Mr. Kemp John U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John West], New Brunswick, Canada c. 1784 10
Mr. Kemp John Sr., U.E., "Kempt" (b. 1723) born in Maryland, USA from Albany, New York, USA who settled in Fredericksburgh [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1784 he enlisted in 1780 serving in the Kings Rangers, married to Anne Van Vorst they had 5 children, he died in 1795 10
Mr. Kemp Joseph U.E. who settled in Fredericksburgh [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1784 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kemp Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Aaron Kemp, who arrived in Canada in 1830

Kemp migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kemp Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Abraham Kemp, English convict who was convicted in Norfolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11

Kemp Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Richard Kemp, (b. 1769), aged 34, British farmer who was convicted in Kent, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1847 12
Henry Kemp, English convict from Essex, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. James Kemp, (b. 1784), aged 32, English carpenter who was convicted in Sussex, England for 14 years for possession of forged bank notes, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Robert Kemp, (b. 1797), aged 19, English labourer who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for life for theft, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. James Kemp, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kemp migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Kemp Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

J Kemp, who landed in Keri Keri, New Zealand in 1836
James Kemp, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
Hy Tracy Kemp, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
James Kemp, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Thomas Kemp, who landed in Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand in 1843
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kemp migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17

Kemp Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Edward Kemp, aged 29, who landed in Barbados in 1635 8
Mr. Edward Kemp, (b. 1616), aged 19, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 18
Mr. Humphrey Kemp, (b. 1619), aged 16, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 19

Kemp Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Hugh Kemp, who landed in Jamaica in 1730 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Kemp (post 1700) +

Elizabeth Kemp (1951-2017), American actress and acting coach
Helen Hubbert Kemp (1918-2015), American voice teacher, church music pedagogue, composer, and children's choir clinician
Wayne Kemp (1941-2015), American country music singer
Earl Kemp (b. 1929), American Hugo Award winning publisher, science fiction editor and critic
Daniel "Dan" Kemp (1927-2000), American actor, best known for his many roles in television westerns
Jack French Kemp (1935-2009), American politician and government official, he was Bob Dole's running mate in 1996 presidential campaign
C. E. Kemp, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Arkansas, 1960 20
Bolivar Edwards Kemp (1871-1933), American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Louisiana, 1920; U.S. Representative from Louisiana 6th District, 1925-33 20
Benjamin R. Kemp (1830-1864), American politician, Member of Indiana State House of Representatives, 1863 20
Andrew Kemp, American Democratic Party politician, Supervisor of Monguagon Township, Michigan; Elected 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901 20
... (Another 54 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Kemp family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Francis T Kemp, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 21

HMS Repulse

Mr. Douglas Kemp, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 22

HMS Royal Oak

Lewis Holdsworth Kemp (d. 1939), British Ordnance Artificer 4th Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 23

RMS Titanic

Mr. Thomas Hulman Kemp (d. 1912), aged 43, English Assistant Fourth Engineer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 24

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html