Surname Kemmerlings - Meaning and Origin

Kemmerlings: What does the surname Kemmerlings mean?

The last name Kemmerlings is of German origin and is derived from the German word ‘kemmerling’, which means ‘dwarf’ or ‘small’. As such, it would be reasonable to assume that the surname has its roots in a job or trade, and was likely given to a person dedicated to craftsmanship or tradesinvolving small or minor articles.

Alternatively, the last name could be derived from the German word ‘kemmel’, which means a small piece of land in a marsh area. This could suggest a family with a history of fiscal or agricultural roots, alluding to a family dedicated to the land, working towards a shared goal in a rural area.

Given that the word Kemmerling is derived from the Latin ‘CAMERAE’, meaning a chamber, it is also conceivable that the surname is rooted in a religious order or guild that performs communal tasks surrounding religious traditions.

Overall, Kemmerling is an interesting and unique name that is associated with a variety of possible meanings and related activities. Whether its roots stem from a craftsman, farmer or religious order, its use implies dedication and a sense of purpose, as evidenced in the family names of previous generations.

Kemmerlings: Where does the name Kemmerlings come from?

The last name Kemmerlings is most commonly found in Germany and the wider Germanic region. Germany is home to the largest number of people with the last name. It is believed to have been first used by the medieval Germanic tribe known as the Kemmerlinger, who settled mainly in and around the city of Aachen, in the country's western Rhineland area.

Records show that the Kemmerlinger tribe was made up of mainly farmers and craftsmen who occupied the area from the 8th century up until the early part of the 12th century, when they were driven out by another more powerful tribe. Over the years, the name and its various forms have spread throughout Europe and into North America.

The name is also found in other parts of the world such as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, where German settlers and immigrants brought it with them.

Today, the name Kemmerlings in its various spellings is found across many countries in Europe and the wider world. The highest concentration remains in Germany, where it is mainly clustered in the Rhineland region. However, even in this area, the name is scattered and only few families of the name remain in the region of its origin.

Variations of the surname Kemmerlings

Kemmerlings is a German surname with an Old Germanic origin. Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin include Kampmerlin, Kämmerling, Keimering, Kemerer, Kemmerer, Kämmerlein, Kemberling, Kemberlinge, and Kämmerlinge.

Kampmerlin is the oldest form of the surname, deriving from the Old Germanic word “kamp” meaning “fighting” and “merlin” meaning “warrior”; together they form a compound word meaning “fighter” or “warrior”. The name was likely first used as a descriptive nickname for a warrior or fighter, and the name was passed down from generation to generation as a family name.

Kämmerling is derived from the Old German “Kämmerling” meaning “little chamber” or “little room”. It was likely used to refer to a person who either owned a small room or worked in one.

Keimering is a southern German variation of the name, with the first part of the name derived from the Old Germanic “keimer” meaning “cottage” or “hut”. The second half of the surname was likely adapted from another name, such as Kemmerling.

Kemerer and Kemmerer are believed to have derived from the Old Germanic “kemer” meaning “barley” and “mer” meaning “great”, likely indicating a person who grew a lot of barley.

Finally, the surnames Kämmerlein, Kemberling, Kemberlinge, and Kämmerlinge are local variants of Kemmerlings, and the surnames likely derive from either the “Kampmerlin” or “Kämmerling” forms of the name.

Famous people with the name Kemmerlings

• Charlotte Kemmerlings, an award-winning Belgian documentary filmmaker
• Sebastian Kemmerlings, a Belgian hockey player who won the gold medal in the 2016 Youth Olympic Games
• Julian Kemmerlings, a German commercial architect
• Jana Kemmerlings, a German artist and sculptor
• Marnie Kemmerlings, an American singer-songwriter
• Jamie Kemmerlings, a retired British rally driver
• Fabian Kemmerlings, a German footballer
• Thomas Kemmerlings, a Belgian coach and technical director in hockey
• Oz Kemmerlings, an Australian soccer commentator
• Jens Kemmerlings, a Belgian photographer

Other surnames

Kemmerling