Surname Boekenkamp - Meaning and Origin

Boekenkamp: What does the surname Boekenkamp mean?

The last name Boekenkamp is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Dutch word “boekenkampe” (English: Book Camp) which was the name of a farm located near Groningen in the Netherlands. The Boekenkamp family is believed to have hailed from this area.

The literal meaning of Boekenkamp is “book campsite or encampment” referring to a place where books were placed, studied, and sometimes sold. The family was likely involved in an earlier form of publishing books by publishing and selling them as scholars and professors from rural areas traveled to such farms for the purpose of enlightenment.

The Boekenkamp name is not a common one, and is a reminder of a bygone era in Dutch history. A family with the last name Boekenkamp is often seen as being special and distinguished due to its status as one of the few rare Dutch last names.

The Boekenkamp family has been in The Netherlands since the early 1400s and over the centuries have been noted mostly as having been prominent landowners, educators, and farmers. Today, there are still members of the Boekenkamp family living in The Netherlands and other countries around the world.

Boekenkamp: Where does the name Boekenkamp come from?

The last name Boekenkamp is thought to have originated from the Dutch word boeken, which means books, and the Dutch word kamp, which means field or camp. This suggests that the last name likely originated from an ancestor who owned or worked at a book shop or book bindery.

Today, the last name Boekenkamp is most commonly found in The Netherlands and Germany, but it can also be found in Spain, Belgium, France, Sweden, and the United States. The Netherlands has the highest population of Boekenkamp, followed by Germany and then the United States.

The Boekenkamp last name can often be found in regions known for their religious heritage. Many Boekenkamp ancestors are descendants of medieval Reformed Church immigrants to the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. Boekenkamp families are commonly found in various Dutch Reformed and German Evangelical Church records, as well as in typical Dutch surnames such as van Boekenkamp.

Boekenkamp families have moved around the world and spread their heritage and history with them. The last name can be found today in many countries connected to Holland, such as The United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and even China. While Boekenkamp is not a common surname worldwide, those who do carry it can take pride in their Dutch roots and the historical significance of the name.

Variations of the surname Boekenkamp

The surname Boekenkamp has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variations include Beukenkamp, Beukinkamp, Beukenkam, Beukinkam, Boikamp, Bökenkamp, Boekinkamp, Bokinkamp, Boekenkemp, Bokinkhamp, Bokenkhamp, Boecamp, Beucamp, Beuken, Beukers, Boeker, Boekers, Bökekamp, and Bokkamp.

The Boekenkamp surname is derived from the Dutch words boek, meaning beech tree, and kamp, meaning village or field. Boekenkamps were likely people who lived in or near fields of beech trees. This suggests the family may have been farmers who specialized in producing firewood from the trees.

The variants of Boekenkamp are most common in the Netherlands. In areas of the United States with large Dutch descendant populations, such as Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and in particular Iowa, variant spellings of Boekenkamp are also found.

No records exist of how or when exactly the Boekenkamp family got its name. It is likely that the surname was adopted sometime between the 12th and 16th centuries. Boekenkamp is also a popular name in South African communities and in the Netherlands Antilles, supporting the theory that it was adopted by Dutch immigrants in the 16th and 17th centuries.

All of the variations of Boekenkamp are connected through their common origin of the Dutch words boek and kamp. Although an exact time for the adoption of this surname is unknown, it is clear that it was an established family name early in the migrations of Dutch people.

Famous people with the name Boekenkamp

• Rob Boekenkamp: Professional Dutch soccer player. Currently plays for the professional club, SC Heerenveen.
• Hans Boekenkamp: Dutch professional soccer player. He had a successful career including a stint as captain of the Dutch national team and a few years with Ajax.
• Rick Boekenkamp: Professional Dutch basketball player who had a stint in the NBA playing for the Brooklyn Nets.
• Tom Boekenkamp: Dutch field hockey player who has represented the Netherlands in international events. He also earned an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
• Anna Boekenkamp: Dutch professional swimmer and world-renowned triathlete. She has numerous wins and podium finishes in international competitions.
• Dirk Boekenkamp: Professional Dutch racecar driver. He won the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps and had successful campaigns in DTM.
• Martijn Boekenkamp: Professional Dutch footballer who currently plays for NEC Nijmegen.
• Niels Boekenkamp: Dutch mixed martial artist and post-graduate in professional sports. He is also a three-time IFMA world champion.
• Margo Boekenkamp: Professional Dutch TV host. She was a host on the popular show, ‘De Kenners’, and is currently hosting ‘Het Boekenkamp Show’.
• Maarten Boekenkamp: Professional Dutch actor. He is best known for his role in the popular Dutch TV series, ‘Kruimeltje’.

Other surnames

Boekenkötter