Surname Kemmer - Meaning and Origin
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Kemmer: What does the surname Kemmer mean?
The last name Kemmer is a German surname derived from the anthroponymic prefix “Kem-”, a short form of any of the several Germanic personal names that began with the prefix. The suffix “-mer” was originally used to signify the occupation of those who carried the name and is derived from the German “trader”. Therefore, the last name Kemmer most likely indicated an ancestor who was a trader.
Kemmer is a very common German surname, with many variants. It is believed to have originated in the areas of present-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The earliest recorded reference of the Kemmer family was in 1777 with a listing of the birth of Johann Jakob Kemmer in Eglisau, Switzerland. This suggests that the Kemmer surname may have been around for at least 200 years in these regions.
Depending on the region and the time period, members of the Kemmer family may have held a nobility status, owned land, or been a part of a local trade guild. By 1785, Kemmers were living as far away as Virginia and Pennsylvania in the US, where they served in the German regiment in the American Revolution.
The Kemmer family dispersed to various locations around the world throughout the 19th and 20th century, mainly due to the multiple wars and economic issues. In the United States, the last name has been primarily found in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Florida, Texas, and many other states.
Overall, the last name Kemmer indicates an ancestor who was an accomplished trader, and has been seen in records all over the world. Over the centuries, the Kemmer family has shown strength and resilience, conquering multiple obstacles to become prosperous and successful members of society.
Order DNA origin analysisKemmer: Where does the name Kemmer come from?
The last name Kemmer is common in many parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Northern France.
In Germany, the name is most commonly found in the states of Bavaria, Hesse and Saxony-Anhalt. In the Netherlands and Belgium, it is most commonly found in the provinces of Limburg, Gelderland and Utrecht. In France, the name is most commonly found in the areas of Picardie, Champagne-Ardenne and Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie.
The name Kemmer is thought to have originated from Germanic elements combining "kum" meaning “to come” and "hardu" meaning “strong.” Therefore, the meaning of the surname is thought to mean “the strong-willed one."
It's thought that the name first appeared in the Rhineland area around the 11th century, but spread to other parts of German-speaking Europe in the centuries that followed.
The name is still found today in various parts of Europe, but also in the United States. In the US, it is most commonly seen in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and California.
Overall, the last name Kemmer is an old-fashioned name, which has retained its popularity over the centuries. It is still used in many parts of Europe, as well as the United States, and is thought to have a strong meaning signifying “the strong-willed one”.
Variations of the surname Kemmer
Kemmer is a surname of German origin derived from the word "kemmer," meaning "commander." There are several variants and spellings of the surname, including Keemer, Keammer, Khamar, K Hammner, Khamer, Kämmer, Kammeer, Kämerer, Kammar, Kammer, Kämmerling, and Kämmerlingen. These surnames are all derived from the same root word.
The surname is also found in other countries outside of Germany, including the United States. In the U.S., the spelling of the surname is often changed to Keamer, Keamor, Keemer, Kaemer, Kaemor, Kaemmer, Kamar, Kimmel, and Kammerer.
In Scotland, the surname is spelled as Keamer, Kamer, Kamerling, Kammerer, Kammarer, Kamrer, Kamar and Kamor. In Ireland, variants of the surname include Kammerer, Kamer, Kamerling, Kammarel, Kammreer, and Kamrer.
Other countries also have variants of the surname Kemmer. In Poland, the surname is spelled as Kammer, Kemme, Keamme, Kämmer, Kämmerling, Kämme, Kämmelein, Kämmere, Kamering, Kamerling, Kamerer, and Kammeer. In Sweden, the surname is spelled as Kammeer, Kämar, Kämmer, Kämmerling, Kämme, and Kämmerer. In Bosnia, the surname is spelled as Kafmar, and in Austria, it is spelled as Kaemmerer.
In every country where this surname is found, the root of the name remains the same. Despite the many different spellings, they all stem from the original German root word "kemmer," meaning "commander."
Famous people with the name Kemmer
- Jenna Kemmer: Professional Goalkeeper, who played for Perth Glory in the W-League
- Joe Kemmer: Former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Chicago Cubs in 1938
- Sam Kemmer: Professional golfer from the United States who has competed in several professional events
- Karl Kemmer: Baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox in 1928-1929
- Stuart Kemmer: Former CFL and NFL football player
- Willy Kemmer: Swiss cross-country skier who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics
- Kurt Kemmer: Austrian ski jumper who competed in the 1952 and 1956 Winter Olympics
- Marisa Kemmer: Former professional softball player who was an All-American at Arizona State University
- Jakob Kemmer: German diver who competed in the 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympics
- Austin Kemmer: Professional bull rider, actively competing in the PRCA and PBR circuits