Surname Kämmerling - Meaning and Origin

Kämmerling: What does the surname Kämmerling mean?

The surname Kämmerling is a German name from the northern regions of Germany. Historically the name is derived from an occupation; someone who worked as a Crown Officer or a Chamberlain. It was a prestigious position in the Middle Ages and carried a great amount of responsibility. The Kämmerling name was first established in northern Germany during the medieval period, and has since spread throughout the world.

The name Kämmerling is derived from the German word kämmerling, which means "keeper of the treasury". Historically this is someone who held a position of trust and provided advice and support to the Crown or local Lord. They were responsible for organising finances and providing financial advice, as well as managing resources and lands. Kämmerlings were also expected to be knowledgeable in legal matters, and often served as witnesses in contracts or other legal documents. Additionally, Kämmerlings may have been warriors, and were commonly used as bodyguards for their masters or to support in battle.

The name Kämmerling continues to be a prestige name, particularly in northern Germanic countries like Germany and Switzerland, and can be found throughout the world. Those who hold this last name are expected to be responsible, have a great sense of honour, and possess a deep knowledge of the law. Kämmerling descendants can find roots of their name in the medieval period, and many have gone on to become respected members of their community.

Kämmerling: Where does the name Kämmerling come from?

The last name Kämmerling is primarily found in Germany, the Netherlands as well as Switzerland. It is a German language name derived from the word Kammerling which means “goose keeper”. It was a descriptive name for a person in charge of the care and maintenance of a farm’s geese.

Today, Kämmerling is a fairly widespread last name across Germany. It is particularly common in the southern German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hessen. It is also found in significant numbers in the Netherlands, especially in the provinces of Gelderland and Utrecht. The Swiss cantons of Bern and Zurich have a considerable Kämmerling population as well.

In the United States, individuals with this last name are mostly descendants of German immigrants who moved to America in the mid to late nineteenth century. It is most commonly found in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin where many German people settled during the mid-19th century.

Elsewhere, the last name Kämmerling is found in small numbers in Austria, France, Australia, Canada, and Sweden. It is also not uncommon to find individuals with this surname in countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Chile where German immigrants moved to in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Variations of the surname Kämmerling

The surname Kämmerling is considered to be of German origin, with the spelling of "Kamerlingh" being the original form of the name. Variants of this surname include, but are not limited to, Kämmerling, Kämerling, Kamerling, Kamerlingh, Kamaerling, Kämmeling, Kammeling, Kammerlick, Kammerlich, Kammerlik, Kammerlicht, Kamerlick, Kamerlik, Kamerlich, Kamerlicht, Comerelingh, Comereling, Commerling, Keemerling, Kemerling and Kemerlingh.

The surname Kämmerling has also been assimilated into some primarily English-speaking countries where it is spelled, Kemerling, Kemmerling, Kammeling and Kammeling.

The surname can also be found in other countries that have their own version of the name, such as Kamerlinge in the Netherlands and Kammerling in Sweden.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the Kemerling surname was Johannes Kamerlingh, who was recorded as living in Nürnberg, Germany, in 1407. The Kämmerling surname became popular in the mid-1800s in Germany, and spread beyond the borders of the country, particularly to the United States and Canada.

Today, the surname Kämmerling can be found in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and other countries across Europe and the Americas.

Famous people with the name Kämmerling

• Corinna Kämmerling, German actress
• Peter Kämmerling, German scientist
• Paul Kämmerling, German artist
• Mike Kämmerling, German football player
• Tim Kämmerling, German music producer
• Sascha Kämmerling, German artist
• Jonas Kämmerling, German photographer
• Christa Kämmerling, German opera singer
• Ewald Kämmerling, German painter
• King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia, born Kämmerling

Other surnames

Kämmerlings