Surname Kemme - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kemme: What does the surname Kemme mean?
The surname Kemme is of German origin. This name is believed to come from the ancient Germanic personal name 'Kemme', or from the Old Norse name 'Kembi,' both of which mean ‘fighter’ or ‘warrior’. It may also have originated as a topographic name for someone who lived by a small enclosed piece of land or a geographical feature. Some sources suggest it could refer to an area of flat land or a ridge. This surname belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees. Like many surnames, Kemme has experienced spelling variations over time and across different regions, potentially including derivatives such as Kemmer, Kemmerer, and others. Therefore, interpreting the meaning of the name can depend on specific family histories and origins.
Order DNA origin analysisKemme: Where does the name Kemme come from?
The surname Kemme is of German origin. The name is believed to be derived from the old German term "kemme," which means comb, possibly pointing to an ancestral profession in comb-making or grooming. The Kemme family's history can be traced back to the medieval Duchy of Saxony, a significant power in early German history.
Today, the last name Kemme is still most common in Germany. Particularly, regions like Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia have a higher concentration of people bearing this surname. Despite its German origin, due to migration and diaspora, the surname has found its way into other countries such as the United States and Brazil. It is, however, still relatively rare outside Germany.
Variations of the surname Kemme
The surname Kemme is of German origin. It also appears in Dutch-speaking countries, possibly pointing towards a Low German or Netherlandish origin. It is speculated to be derived from a short form of German personal names that began with the element "Kun" which means "bold".
Variants and similar surnames could include Kemm, Kemmeier, Kemmer, Kemmerer and Kemming - which are all relatively common in German-speaking countries. Some other potential connected names, though less common, are Kemmet, Kemmeth, Kemmether, Kemmett and Kemmetis.
In English-speaking countries, names such as Kem, Kemmy, Kemmey and Kemmie might be encountered as possible variants. The suffix “-e” at the end might also be dropped in some instances.
It’s important to note that surnames can often be localized and adapted based on cultural and linguistic factors, making it possible for wider variations to exist. In some non-Germanic language countries, Kemme could have been adapted to fit local pronunciation and spelling standards, which means it might exist under various unexpected forms.
Given the relevantly low frequency of this name, it might be wise to consider phonetically similar names when researching genealogy.
Famous people with the name Kemme
- Mark Kemme: American composer best known for his work on the films “Beauty and the Beast” (1991) and “Aladdin” (1992).
- Tim Kemme: American actor who is best known for his roles in the TV series “Mad Men” (2007 and 2012-15) and “Game Of Thrones” (2011-15).
- Claire Kemme: British actress and theatre producer who won an Evening Standard Award for Best Actress for her performance in The Changeling by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley.
- Wayne Kemme: American professional golfer who has won five professional golf tournaments and played in the PGA Tour, the European Tour and the Asian Tour.
- Michael Kemme: German historian and professor at the University of Bonn, whose research has focused on the development of general history from the 16th to the 18th century.
- Kirby Kemme: American professional basketball player in the NBA who played for the Detroit Pistons (1981-1985).
- Dianna Kemme: American squatter who is best known for being part of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
- Karl Kemme: German politician who was the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party from 1867–1914.
- Sarah Kemme: British author and illustrator of children’s books who is known for her work on the book series “Curious Minds.”
- Robert Kemme: German equestrian who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.