Surname Bonekemper - Meaning and Origin
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Bonekemper: What does the surname Bonekemper mean?
The last name Bonekemper is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word benninchemper, which means "steward of the manor." This was a position of great importance and honor, as the steward was responsible for the running of the estate and its tenants. The steward was in charge of collecting rents, making decisions on agricultural and forestry matters, and supervising the day-to-day operations of the estate. The job of steward was hereditary and the Bonekemper family was likely involved in this role for many generations.
The name is still associated with the region of Hessen in Germany. The first Bonekemper to immigrate to America was Johannes Bonekemper, who arrived in Philadelphia from Hessen in 1748. He was a blacksmith and started a family business that survives to this day, making guns and other weapons.
The name Bonekemper is a reminder of the important role its ancestors played in running the estates of old Europe and the traditions and customs they brought with them to the New World. Today, the name is seen as a badge of honor among those who are descended from these German immigrants. Individuals with the Bonekemper last name can be found in all parts of the world today, with members of the family involved in numerous fields such as business, finance, law, engineering, and more.
Order DNA origin analysisBonekemper: Where does the name Bonekemper come from?
The last name Bonekemper is most commonly found in Germany today. It is most likely a variation of the more common German surname “Bohnkemper,” which is derived from the Middle High German words “bunne” meaning “bean” and “kemp” meaning “farming,” indicating that the original bearer of the surname was likely a peasant farmer who cultivated beans.
The earliest known record of the name Bonekemper dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was found in various regions in northern Germany. Today, the name is most commonly seen in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt, as well as Berlin and the Ruhr area.
In U.S. records, the first known Bonekemper was one Dietrich Bonekemper from present-day Bremen, Germany, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753. Since then, Bonekempers have spread out and can now be found throughout the United States.
The surname is uncommon, even in Germany, so it is not particularly well-known outside of the places where it is most commonly found.
Variations of the surname Bonekemper
The surname Bonekemper is a surname of Germanic origin derived from the elements “bündig” and “kempen” which roughly translate to “boundary keeper” or “bailiff”. As such, this surname has numerous variations and spellings throughout its history. Variants of this name include Bonekamp, Bonekampf, Bonekampfe, Bonekemper, Bonekemp, Bonekempe, Bunnkamp, Bunneckemper, Buneckemper Thevenotcompensatable or Buneckemper, just to name a few.
Surnames derived from the same root include Baumkemper, Bohnkemper, Bohnkamp, Bohnkampf, Bonnekamp, Bonnekampf, Bonkemper, Bonkamp, Bonkampf, Bonkompf, Bunkamp, Burkamp and Burkampfe. The original spelling, however, most likely originated as Bonekemper or Bonekamp.
Bonekemper continues to be a relatively common surname in Germany, but many of its derivatives are now more rare. Most of the variants mentioned above only exist in a few parts of the world, though some are more prevalent in certain regions, such as the Netherlands.
Furthermore, due to the diversity of surnames derived from the same root, some families today may have multiple spellings of the same last name. It’s important to keep in mind that even though there are many variants and spellings of the same name, all of them are ultimately derived from the same Germanic root.
Famous people with the name Bonekemper
- Edward Bonekemper III: American historian and biographer who has written works on the Civil War and the decisions of General of the Army Ulysses S. Grant.
- Frederick Jay Bonekemper Jr.: Author of multiple books on Ulysses S. Grant and American Military History.
- Larry Bonekemper: American professional baseball coach.
- John Bonekemper: Entrepreneur and businessman who co-founded the company IntraPower.
- Gregg Bonekemper: Filmmaker and cinematographer, best known for working on the Academy Award-winning documentary, A Place at the Table.
- David Bonekemper: Director of Product Management for the enterprise software company Hive Inc.
- Paul Bonekemper: Former professional golfer on the PGA Tour.
- Ron Bonekemper: Retired Major League Baseball player who spent most of his career as a relief pitcher with the Oakland Athletics.
- Tom Bonekemper: Low-budget film producer best known for his no-budget westerns.
- Andrew Bonekemper: Voice actor who has provided voice talent for television and video games.