Surname Kempinski - Meaning and Origin

Kempinski: What does the surname Kempinski mean?

Kempinski is a surname of Germanic origin. The name is a combination of two words - Kemp, a German term for warrior or fighter, and ski meaning "by". Thus, the name as a whole translates to "by the warrior".

Known since the 14th century, Kempinski has a long history which is associated with the Prussian Kingdom. The Kempinskis were known for being brave and noble warriors and during the medieval times they had formed one of the most powerful families in Prussia.

Following the Napoleonic Wars, many family members immigrated to various parts of the world, leaving Germany with a lower concentration of the surname than before. Some of the countries that are inhabited by people with the Kempinski surname are the US, UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Mexico.

Today people with the Kempinski name are still known for their bravery and strength. In addition, many have established successful businesses and careers in a variety of industries. Famous people with the Kempinski surname include French novelist Alexandre Kempinski, Austrian football player Julius Kempinski, and German-born hotelier and entrepreneur, Baron Kempinski.

Kempinski: Where does the name Kempinski come from?

Kempinski is a German surname, and is most common among ethnic Germans residing in Germany, Austria, and the other countries of central Europe and the German-speaking diaspora, particularly those that previously formed the German Empire and its former colonies. The name is derived from the word "Kempf" which means "fighter" or "warrior", although the exact source of the name is lost in antiquity.

Among Germans living in the United States, the Kempinski surname is especially prevalent in the Midwest, especially in states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Many Kempinski descendants can trace their family roots back to German immigrants who came to the US in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Kempinski surname is also fairly common in England and other parts of the United Kingdom, particularly among people of English and Welsh backgrounds. Here, the Kempinski name likely originated with 19th century immigrant families from the German Empire.

In addition, Kempinski is one of the rarer surnames found in South Africa, where it was brought to the country by soldiers of the German Empire during the early 1900s. These migrants primarily hailed from parts of southwest Germany and modern-day Poland. Here, Kempinski is an especially common surname among ethnic Germans, Afrikaans-speakings, and people of Polish/ Prussian descent.

Overall, Kempinski is primarily a German surname, found in a number of regions throughout Europe, the United States, and South Africa.

Variations of the surname Kempinski

The Kempinski surname is derived from a combination of two German words – "Kamp" and "ski" – with both words meaning “warrior” or “fighter". The Kempinski surname has many variants, all of which are derived from its German roots.

These variant spellings of the Kempinski surname include Kempski, Kempsky, Kempskii, Kampski, Kempskyi, Kampskenski, Kampskinski, Kampscinski, Kempskir, Kempskirr, Kampskiny, Kampsk, Kampsko, Kempska, Kampskova, Kempensky, and Kempszki.

Surnames with the same origin as the Kempinski surname include Kampf, Kempen, Kampen, Kampmann, Kamphaus, Kanpp, Kamps, Kampfmann, Kepinski, and Kaminski.

Kempski, Kempsky and Kampf are the most commonly used variant spellings of the Kempinski surname. The surname can also be written as Kampski and Kempskyi in Poland and Belarus, respectively. The Kampsko spelling is commonly used in Slovakia, while Kempensky and Kempszki variants are seen in the Czech Republic.

Although the Kempinski surname originated in Germany, the variant spellings are used in other European countries. The Kempskyi variant is used in Belarus, while the Kempska variant is used in Poland. In Slovakia, the Kampsko spelling is used, and in the Czech Republic, the Kempensky and Kempszki variants are used.

Famous people with the name Kempinski

• John Kempinski: actor and playwright.
• Jack Kempinski: producer, playwright, and actor.
• Bill Kempinski: actor and comedian.
• Margaret Kempinski: Rhythm and blues singer.
• Stephen Kempinski: pianist, composer, and conductor.
• Susan Kempinski: actress.
• Tobias Kempinski: contemporary classical composer.
• Wolf Kempinski: saxophonist, and composer.
• Philip Kempinski: operatic baritone.
• Henry Kempinski: film director and screenwriter.

Other surnames

Kempinska