Surname Heykamps - Meaning and Origin

Heykamps: What does the surname Heykamps mean?

The last name Heykamps is of German origin, derived from the words “Heu” (meaning hay or grass) and “Kamps” (meaning field). Initially, the name was used to denote someone who owned or worked on a hay or grass field. It could also be associated with someone who lived near or worked in a meadow, and it is thought that the surname and its variants emerged in northern Germany during the medieval period.

The earliest recorded use of the surname is from the mid 17th-century, when town registries began to be kept in Germany. Over the centuries, the name has spread outside Germany, with Catholic settlers taking it to regions such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France and parts of Austria and Switzerland.

In more recent years, the last name Heykamps has been used by people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, both in Germany and abroad. Nowadays, the most common spelling of the name is Heikamp, although alternative spellings such as Heikkemp, Hiikamp, Hijkamp, Hikamp and Heykamp still exist.

Despite having been used for hundreds of years, the meaning of the last name Heykamps remains largely the same – someone who owned or worked on a hay or grass field.

Heykamps: Where does the name Heykamps come from?

The last name Heykamps is most common in and around the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, where it has a long history. Amsterdam is the city of Heykamps' origin and the place with the majority of people bearing this surname. The heykamp family originally resided near Amsterdam and were farmers who raised cattle to sustain themselves. The heykamp family had a large room in their family home which was called the hooftschur, which translated as the "head shed". The heykamp clan used this room to host weddings, ceremonies, and other family gatherings.

The heykamp clan also rose to fame as traders, creating a name in the international market. The heykamp family name has spread far and wide from the Netherlands, with its bearers found primarily in Holland, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Although the heykamp surname is most common in the greater Amsterdam region, it can also be found in pockets across the globe, where it has become a universal name. To this day, the heykamp family continues to make a name and a place for itself in the international market and around the world.

Variations of the surname Heykamps

Heykamps is an old Dutch patronymic surname. The spelling originates from the Dutch name Heykamp, where 'Hey' means 'high' or 'lofty' and 'kamp' means 'field' or 'plain'. Since Heykamps is a patronymic surname, there are many variations of the same origin, including Heikamp, Heikamps, Hiekamp, Heigkamp, Heighkamp, Hiekamps, Heigkamps, Heighkamps and Heijkamp.

The Heykamps variation of a patronymic surname is usually found in English-speaking countries such as Canada, the United States, and Australia. The Heykamp spelling is preferred in areas of Germanic influence, such as the Netherlands and Germany, as well as some Nordic countries.

In addition to the variations of Heykamps, there are other related surnames of the same origin that include Heykampen, Heikampen, Hiekampen, Heigkampen, Heighkampen, Hiekampsen, Heigkampsen, Heighkampsen, and Heijkampen.

In Dutch speaking countries, a patronymic surname is typically produced by adding an “s” to the end of the father's name. For example, a son of Heykamp would be named Heykamps and a son of Heijkamp would be named Heijkampen.

Therefore, regardless of the various spelling variations, all of the surnames mentioned in this article are derived from the same origin, a Dutch patronymic surname.

Famous people with the name Heykamps

• Britt Heykamps, Dutch actress and presenter.
• Dyanne Heckkamps-van de Loo, Dutch tennis player.
• Erwin Heykamps, Dutch graphic designer and typographer.
• Geert Heykamps, Dutch professional soccer player.
• Gerrit Heykamps, Dutch figure skater.
• Hendrik Heykamps, Dutch professional soccer player.
• Lambert Heykamps, Dutch professional soccer player.
• Matthijs Heykamps, Dutch sculptor and ceramic artist.
• Sabetha Heykamps, Dutch illustrator and painter.
• Betti Heykamps, Dutch fashion designer.

Other surnames

Heykamp