Surname Kemmerer - Meaning and Origin
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Kemmerer: What does the surname Kemmerer mean?
The last name Kemmerer is a German topographic surname derived from the Middle High German term “Kemer” meaning “campsite,” thus implying that the original bearer of the name derived from the region of Kemmerer in Germany which is a village in the Rhineland-Palatinate. In the early 19th century, the surname began to spread to the United States and Australia, where members of the Kemmerer family used it to identify themselves from their place of origin.
The Kemmerer surname has a deep history in Europe, as it is the surname of several prominent families that trace their roots back to the Middle Ages. Records show that the family owned and operated several large estates in Germany, and many members of the family were successful merchants and traders. As the name spread to North America, the Kemmerers became some of the first settlers in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, often moving to the area in search of jobs or better opportunities for their families.
Today, the Kemmerers can be found on all five continents, and from what research has uncovered, the meaning of the surname’s origin is still very much alive. The modern Kemmerers are a fiercely proud and independent people, deriving their strength and resilience from the courage and fortitude of their ancestors who established their name in history.
Order DNA origin analysisKemmerer: Where does the name Kemmerer come from?
The last name Kemmerer is most commonly found in the United States today. Census records show that the majority of the Kemmerer's living in the United States can be found in Pennsylvania, most significantly in the Lehigh Valley region. People with the Kemmerer name can also be found in other parts of the country, particularly in other parts of the Northeast like New York and New Jersey.
In addition to being some of the earliest settlers in the United States, the Kemmerer family is also believed to have some Germanic roots from the northern and eastern part of Germany. Immigrants of this name came to the United States from places such as Thuringen, Hesse, and Bavaria between 1840 and 1880.
Other larger concentrations of the name Kemmerer can be found in Australia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Peru. It is also present in smaller numbers in other countries around the world.
The origin of the name Kemmerer is yet unknown, although some historians suggest that it first appeared as a surname in fourteenth century Germany. It is believed to have been derived from the German words "kemme," meaning "comb," and "haar," meaning "hair”. This suggests that it may have originally referred to a person who was skilled at grooming hair.
Ultimately, the last name Kemmerer is most common in the United States, however, global census records indicate that it can also be found in other countries around the world, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Peru.
Variations of the surname Kemmerer
Kemmerer is a surname of German origin. It's variants include Kemerer, Kemerrer, Kamerrer, Kemmerer, Kempler, Kemplar, Kemler, and Kempler. The most common and accepted spelling of Kemmerer is K-E-M-M-E-R-E-R.
The variants of Kemmerer are all derived from the Old German word 'kamarer', meaning 'merchant'. Over time, it developed into the German word 'Kaufmann' (also meaning 'merchant'), the origin of the Kemmerer spelling.
The spelling of Kemmerer can also be seen in the early American census records. For instance, in the 1790 United States Federal Census it appears as 'Keamorer' or 'Kemerer'.
The surnames of Kemmerer origin can also appear as Kemler, Kamper, Kempler, and Kemplar (or Kemplar). All these surnames are directly related to one another, as they all originate from the same source, the Old German verb 'kamarer'.
Variants of the surnames Kemmerer and Kempler can also be found in other languages, such as Czech and Jewish. These include Kimmeler, Kimmel, Kimberl, Kimmelman, Keimel, Kimel, Kunberger and Karpeles.
Though Kemmerer has multiple variants, each of them has the same origin and is connected to the Old German root word, 'kamarer'. Changes to the spelling can often be attributed to the person writing or recording the name. As with many Germanic names, Kemmerer also has established variants in other European languages, some of which are still widely used today.
Famous people with the name Kemmerer
- Brigid Kemmerer: YA author known for her Elementals and Cursebreaker series
- Debra Kemmerer: Voice over actress who played Daphne on the popular animated seriesAaahh!!! Real Monsters
- Doug Kemmerer: Professional American racecar driver and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion
- Jesse Kemmerer: Pennsylvania-born alpine ski racer who won a gold medal at the 1997 World Championships
- Mark Kemmerer: Broadway producer and winner of multiple Tony Awards
- Michael Kemmerer: Monet sales specialist and art appraiser
- Otto Kemmerer: American diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to several countries, including Mexico and Brazil
- Roger Kemmerer: Senior scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Scott Kemmerer: Former major league baseball player
- William Kemmerer:Former U.S. Navy admiral and deputy secretary of defense