Surname Bonnekamp - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bonnekamp: What does the surname Bonnekamp mean?
The last name Bonnekamp is a Dutch topographic surname, which generally originates from an ancestral home or dwelling. Derived from the geographic term “bonne” meaning ‘bottom’ and from the Dutch-German suffix “kamp” meaning “field” or “enclosure,” the literal meaning of Bonnekamp translates as “bottom field”, “bottom enclosure” or “a meadow in a low-lying area.” The term is often seen in the older spelling form of Bonnemecke, Bonnecke, and Bonnink as well.
The name Bonnekamp is believed to have been in use since the 13th century, and the very first surviving record of the name appears as Bonnecen in Limburg, in 1290. Through the etymological records of the surname, it is clear that this family was not wealthy or of noble origin. It is likely that the early Bonnekamps were simple, common folk who likely worked the land and raised livestock on the farms and meadows in their small, low-lying areas.
The Bonnekamps are one of many Dutch families who eventually spread throughout Europe and beyond. Members of the Bonnekamp clan have been found in Germany, Belgium, France, and even the United States. While the origin and meaning of the surname is clear, it is the stories of the individuals and their families that will carry this name and its legacy forward through years and generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisBonnekamp: Where does the name Bonnekamp come from?
The surname Bonnekamp is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and France. In Germany, it is most prevalent in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, where it ranks as the 6232nd and 6789th most common surname, respectively. In the Netherlands, it is the 1608th most common surname, whereas in France it is much rarer, ranking as the 51880th most common surname in the country.
The earliest known record of the Bonnekamp name dates back to 1525, when Volcek Venscorten Bonnekamp was mentioned in a document in Germany. From there, the Bonnekamp lineage spread throughout Northern Europe and eventually made its way to the United States. Given the migration patterns of the name, it is no surprise that many of its bearers are settled in the midwest of America.
In the US, the name is most common in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, and Michigan, ranking n the 1235th, 2445th, 3678th, 6672nd and 7694th most common surname in those states, respectively. It is also present in other states such as Pennsylvania, Iowa, Colorado and Texas.
Overall, the Bonnekamp surname is most heavily concentrated in Germany, the Netherlands, and France, with significant presence in the United States as well.
Variations of the surname Bonnekamp
The surname Bonnekamp is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Dutch words ‘bon’, meaning ‘good’, and ‘kamp’, meaning ‘field’. Other variants of this surname include Boenkamp, Bonkamp, Boonkamp, Bunckamp, Bunncamp, Booncamp, Bonnekamp, Bunkamp and Bunkemper.
In the Dutch language, the letter ‘e’ is often left out when spellings of surnames are altered, so the variants of this surname including Boenkamp and Bonkamp are also common. The corresponding Dutch spelling is spelled with an ‘e’, Bonnekamp.
Historically, the name could also be spelled differently depending on the region. For example, in the Netherlands, it would have been spelled Boenkamp, and in Germany, Bunkemper. Similarly, in some countries, the spelling of the surname could be influenced by local dialects. In the United States, where the surname is more common, the spellings Booncamp, Boonkamp and Bunkamp are also found.
Other variations of the surname include Bunka, Bunko, Bunke and Bunken. Additional surnames of the same origin include Bunkema and Bunkemeyer.
Finally, there are several surname variants in other languages, such as the French Lanaud and Liemann, the German Tannekamp, the Danish Bonne and the Spanish Bono.
Famous people with the name Bonnekamp
- Isabel Bonnekamp: German photographer who specializes in fashion and still life photography.
- Robert Leopold Bonnekamp: Dutch artist and draftsman, primarily a watercolorist.
- Wilhelmina Bonnekamp: Dutch baroque soprano who made her debut at the Royal Theatre of Amsterdam in 1691.
- Johan Baptist Bonnekamp: Dutch Jesuit missionary to China in the 18th century.
- John Bonnekamp: American furniture maker of the 19th century and co-founder of the firm Bonnekamp & Co.
- Henk Bonnekamp: Dutch football player who played for various clubs in the Netherlands during the 1950s and 1960s.
- Jan Bonnekamp: Dutch architect and interior designer, active in the latter half of the 20th century.
- Michiel Bonnekamp: Dutch film director, most famous for his 2008 drama movie Het dorp (The Village).
- Julius Bonnekamp: German poet and playwright of the 19th century who wrote several books of poetry and several plays.
- Menno Bonnekamp: Dutch composer of modern classical music, professor at deFontys Conservatory from 2000-2017.