Surname Kehm - Meaning and Origin
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Kehm: What does the surname Kehm mean?
The surname Kehm is of German origin, however, the exact meaning of the name is not specifically known. It possibly derives from the High German word "keim" which means "sprout" or "shoot", indicating a livelihood based in agriculture or farming. Another possibility is that it comes from the Middle High German word “kam” meaning “comb,” likely referring to a person who made or sold combs, or had some association with combs. Moreover, it could also be derived from a regional name for someone from Kamen, a town in the district of Unna in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It's important to note that the meaning of surnames can often be speculated based on etymology and historical social semantic shifts, but its origins could be multiple and varying. It is also likely that different families bearing this surname have different origins of this name. As such, the exact meaning can be difficult to determine.
Order DNA origin analysisKehm: Where does the name Kehm come from?
The last name Kehm is of German origin. It is a variant of the surname "Kem", based on the Middle High German term "kam" meaning ‘comb’, or 'Kämmerer' denoting a chamberlain, or 'Kämpe' which means warrior. The name may have initially been an occupational name for a comb maker, a chamberlain, or a nickname for a warrior.
Historically, names were often derived from a person's occupation, geographical location, or even physical characteristics. So, Kehm could have been used to identify individuals based on these aspects.
Today, individuals with the last name Kehm can be found in several parts of the world, particularly in countries with a significant population of people of German descent. Although it is not an especially common surname, larger concentrations can be found in Germany, the United States, and some parts of Canada. There might also be smaller numbers in other parts of Europe and South America.
Variations of the surname Kehm
The surname Kehm is of German origin and is a variant of the name Kämmer or Kämmerer, which means "chamberlain" or the keeper of a ruler's chamber. The name is believed to have originated as a status name for a servant in a noble or royal household.
There are several variants and similar sounding surnames to Kehm. These include Kehme, Keim, Keem, and Käm. Other similar surnames are Kehmster, Kehmman, and Kehmmeyer. Some other spelling variations due to regional differences or phonetic similarities could include Kahm, Khem, Koehm, and Kaehm.
There also exist partial matches or possible connections with other surnames of the same origin. This could be Kehm/Kehmaier, Kehm/Kehmeier, Kehm/Kehmen, and Kehm/Kehmhofer.
Remember that surname spellings and variants can vary widely due to factors like language translation, geographical location, and historical events. It's common to see surnames with multiple spellings and variations. In some cases, different spellings may even reveal different branches of the same family.
Famous people with the name Kehm
- Michael Kehm: former professional basketball player, who played for Real Madrid of the Liga ACB.
- Evelyn Kehm: Dutch professional athlete who specializes in the heptathlon and the high jump.
- Deb Kehm: Founder of the PEAR Institute, a non profit organization dedicated to preventing youth suicide and promoting positive mental health.
- Martin Kehm: German musician and composer, part of renowned electronic duo Mo-Do
- Dmitry Kehm: Russian swimmer who competed in the Butterfly and Freestyle events at the 2008 Olympic Games.
- Nichole Kehm: American former professional soccer player who starred in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- Dan Kehm: American businessman and former diplomat, the current CEO of Silicon Valley-based semiconductor firm Infineon Technologies.
- Kendal Kehm: American marketing executive who currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Revenue and Strategy at BrightFields.
- Rachel Kehm: Former basketball player with the Drake Bulldogs who is now an Albany, Oregon real estate agent.
- Chris Kehm: Professional golfer who won the 2011 Ontario Amateur Championship.