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).

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Christian Kempf, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1733. Johann Wilhelm Kempff arrived in Philadelphia in 1753; while Theodore Kaempff came there in 1871..

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