Surname Kampeter - Meaning and Origin
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Kampeter: What does the surname Kampeter mean?
Kampeter is a German last name originating in the Middle Ages and thought to be derived from the Middle High German word “kampen” which means “to struggle”. This is likely due to the fact that the Kampeter family were fighters who were fierce protectors of their lands and families. This might explain why variations of the last name Kampeter still remain to this day.
The surname has many variants in countries outside of Germany such as Kumpeter, Kanpetter, and Kuempter amongst others. Depending on the region the surname is found in, alternate spellings of the surname might arise.
The exact origins and early history of the Kampeter family are not fully known. However, it is believed to have originated in the eastern regions of Germany and was a popular name in parts of Germany, such as Bavaria, during the early 19th century. The meaning of “to struggle” is still accurate today as descendants of the Kampeters have overcome immense adversity throughout the ages.
The current mottos of the Kampeter family are “Never Give Up” and “Preserve and Fight for What you Believe In.” Given the origin of their surname derived from the word “to struggle”, it captures the traits of the Kampeter family throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisKampeter: Where does the name Kampeter come from?
The Kampeter surname is believed to have originated in Germany. The earliest known mention of this surname is from 1486 in the Pfalz district, which is located in the western part of Germany. The name is found today predominantly in countries with a German-speaking population such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name is also commonly found in the United States, Canada, and Brazil, where it is associated with German immigrants.
The name Kampeter itself is derived from the Old High German word ‘kampen,’ which refers to wet meadows and marshes. The history of this name can be traced to the 16th century, when large parts of Germany were marshy and wet. Kampeters are believed to have either descended from people who lived in or near marshy areas, or from people who gave their surname the same name as the wetland they lived in.
Today, there are a number of famous people with the last name Kampeter. This includes Johanna Kampeter-Koenig, a German politician, and Uwe Kampeter, a Swiss anthropologist and Professor at the University of Zurich. Both the Kampeter surname and its variants, Campedi, Camperi, and Campet, are still quite common today in German-speaking areas.
Variations of the surname Kampeter
The surname Kampeter is of German origin, with the first record of the name emerging around the year 1250. It is derived from the Middle High German words ‘kampf’ which means ‘fight’ and ‘eter' meaning ‘army’ or ‘soldier’. It was most likely originally used as an occupational name to describe a soldier.
Variant spellings of the name include Competer, Kamp Schneider, Kampetere, Compader, Kampeter, Kompeterer, Kaempeter, Cam 1993, Kempter, Kempterer, Kemptner, Kemptner, Kempter, Kempfner, Kempner, Kumpeter, Kempeter and Kempther.
Surnames of the same origin include Kampschneider, Kampke, Kampher, Compadixt and Compaderas.
Due to the popularity and wide-spread use of the surname, there are numerous records of people named Kampeter. Claims to fame include German businessman and history professor Paul Kampeter who emigrated to Iowa in the early 1890s. German-born author and entrepreneur Heini Kampeter was also well known for his “overland” expeditions in Africa and South America during the early 1910s.
The name Kampeter is most commonly found throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is also widely used in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Chile thanks to the numerous emigrants who left Europe in search of a better life.
Famous people with the name Kampeter
- Big Daddy Wayne Kampeter: Comedian who performs standup since the late 1990s
- Bruce Kampeter: American character actor, known for his performances in the TV series “All in the Family”
- Bill Kampeter: Voice actor, known for his portrayal of various characters in the hit show “The Simpsons”
- Debbie Kampeter: Former NFL New England Patriots quarterback
- Joe Kampeter: Actor, known for his roles in several films such as “Raging Bull” and “The House of Wax”
- Eric Kampeter: Singer/Songwriter who released several albums in the early 1980s
- Chris Kampeter: Grammy award-winning lyricist and composer
- Ben Kampeter: Professional basketball player who played in the NBA for several seasons
- David Kampeter: German-American artist and sculptor who works with installation and performance art
- Elisabeth Kampeter: Award-winning German poet, author and film producer