Surname Oppenkamp - Meaning and Origin
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Oppenkamp: What does the surname Oppenkamp mean?
The last name Oppenkamp is of German origin, with roots lying in the Middle Ages. It is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name of someone's father. It is derived from the Old Germanic elements "Oppo", meaning "father", and "kamp", meaning "field". Combining these terms, Oppenkamp translates to "father's field" or "man from the farm" suggesting that many of its original bearers were likely of a rural origin.
Today, people bearing the Oppenkamp surname can be found all over the world, but the majority of bearers remain in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, where the name originated. In the United States, the largest population of Oppenkamp's can be found in Pennsylvania and in Wisconsin.
The Oppenkamp surname has become associated with numerous cultural and religious traditions over the centuries. In some instances it has been linked to occupational and geographical influences. Examples of this would include an Oppenkamp/Oppenhauer in the Netherlands, suggesting a profession related to trade. Conversely, an Oppenkamp from the city of Bremen in Germany likely signified a commerce-related background, such as banking or shipping.
In more modern times, the Oppenkamp has often taken on religious affiliations, with many members of this name choosing to become Lutherans or Roman Catholics throughout the years. Although much of the history of the Oppenkamp has been lost, today, the name is still proudly borne by descendants of its original bearers, symbolizing a rich and storied past, in honor of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisOppenkamp: Where does the name Oppenkamp come from?
Oppenkamp is a German surname, meaning "open field," and it is often found in Germany and other parts of Europe today.
In Germany, Oppenkamp is most commonly found in the regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the name is most common in the towns of Dorsten, Recklinghausen, and Duisburg. In Lower Saxony, it is most commonly found in the towns of Oldenburg, Bremerhaven, and Cuxhaven. Schleswig-Holstein is the region in Germany where the name Oppenkamp is most popular, and it is common throughout the entire state.
Oppenkamp is also used in many parts of the United States, especially by German immigrants who settled in America many years ago. In the US, the name is most common in Ohio, Iowa, and Pennsylvania, particularly in the cities of Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh.
In Europe, the name Oppenkamp can also be found in France, the Netherlands, and other parts of Germany aside from the regions already mentioned. It is less common in France, however, where the variants Oppenkam, Oppenkamps, and Oppenkampf are more common.
Overall, the surname Oppenkamp is still popular throughout many regions of Europe and the United States.
Variations of the surname Oppenkamp
The surname Oppenkamp has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The variant spellings Oppenkam, Oppenkämper, Oppekamp (in Dutch), Oppinkemper and Oppinckemper are used. These variants originate from the Frisian language and have their origin in the Old German words ‘oppino’ (upper) and ‘kamph’ (field). 'Oppinckemper' means 'someone who built his house in the upper field'.
Other variant spellings include Oppenkamper, Oppenkämper, Oppenkamp, Opplonkömper, or Opplonkamp, as well as Oppenkampfer, Oppanickemper, Oppinckemper, and Opponcamp. These variants are also found in Low German and Dutch languages.
In the Netherlands, surnames are derived from the place of residences. For example, Oppenkampers who originally resided in Weener in Germany, were called 'van Weener', and Oppenkampers who originally resided in Lorup, Germany were called 'van Lorup'.
Other variants of the surname include Oppenkampf, Oppanigkämper, Oppselkamp, Öppigkamp, Opengehe, Oppenkampe, Oppenkampp, and Oppen-Kampen, amongst many others.
The incidence of Oppenkamp as a last name is lower than the average frequency in the USA, accounting for only 0.001% of the population. Additionally, Oppenkamp is the 2,477th most common surname in the world, and in Namibia it is the 693rd most common. Similarly, it is also the 292nd most common surname in South Africa.
In conclusion, the surname Oppenkamp has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The roots are mainly found in German and Dutch languages, and there are many variants and regional spellings depending on where the surname originated.
Famous people with the name Oppenkamp
- Ryan Oppenkamp: American professional baseball pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization.
- Abigail Oppenkamp: American varsity bowler and top-ranked high school long distance runner.
- Curt Oppenkamp: American former National Football League defensive lineman.
- Ellen Oppenkamp: German bronze medalist at the 1976 Summer Olympic Games.
- Stephen Oppenkamp: American professional basketball player who experienced success with the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Jonathan Oppenkamp: Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League (AHL).
- Erika Oppenkamp: German actress, best known for her role in Heimat- Die Chronik einer Familie.
- Christof Oppenkamp: German artist, best known for his photography around the world.
- Brigitte Oppenkamp- German doctor and television presenter.
- Line Oppenkamp: Danish singer and songwriter who achieved fame in the 1970s and 1980s.