Show ContentsKempstume History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Kempstume is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name was taken on by someone who worked as a person whose father was a knight or soldier. The surname Kempstume was originally derived from the Old English word kemp, which came from the Old English word cempa, which means warrior and occasionally means athlete or wrestler. 1 The name also features the popular patronymic suffix -son, which was most common in the north of England and superseded other patronymic suffixes in prominence during the 14th century.

Early Origins of the Kempstume family

The surname Kempstume was first found in Kempston, parishes in Bedfordshire and Norfolk. "This parish [in Bedfordshire], in the Domesday Survey Camestone, comprises about 5000 acres; the soil in the valley of the Ouse is gravelly, and in other parts clay." 2

The first record of the family was Peter de Kemeston who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1190. Years later the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Berkshire listed Simon de Kempston and later again, Symond Kempston was listed in 1426 in the Paston Letters and Papers of the Fifteenth Century. 3 Richard Kemson was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 1

Early History of the Kempstume family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kempstume research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1661, 1662, 1683, 1684, 1726, 1728 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Kempstume History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kempstume Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Kempstume include Kempson, Kempston, Kimpson, Kempton, Kempstone and many more.

Early Notables of the Kempstume family

More information is included under the topic Early Kempstume Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Kempstume family to Ireland

Some of the Kempstume family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kempstume family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John Kempson who settled in Virginia in 1734; John Kempson settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1856; A. Kempton settled in Savannah, Georgia in 1821.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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