Surname Kimpel - Meaning and Origin
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Kimpel: What does the surname Kimpel mean?
The surname Kimpel is of German origin and is derived from the German personal name “Kimpel,” which is a diminutive of the name “Kemper” or “Kempert.” The name “Kemper” is from an ancient German term for a keeper of a mine, quarry, or game preserve. In medieval times, many people were given the same name, all of which were derived from “Kemper.” As time went on, these names were further Anglicized, becoming common German surnames, such as Kimpel.
Today, the surname Kimpel is found mainly in southern Germany, especially in areas that border the Rhine River. It is also found in the United States, thanks to the waves of German immigrants who arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to start new lives in America.
The genealogical research group, Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, states that the Kimpel family in Germany is traced back to a Johann Jacob Kemper, born around the year 1570 in the Palatinate region. It is from this man that the family name Kimpel derives, and were most likely hereditary members of some kind of minor noble family.
In the US, the Kimpel surname can be found in records from colonial times, with records such as the Virginia and Maryland taxes of 1704 listing a Johannes Kempel and Melchior Kimpel.
Finally, in modern times, there are notable people with the surname Kimpel, such as Amelia Kimpel, the American teacher, and Maja Kimpel, the German artist.
Order DNA origin analysisKimpel: Where does the name Kimpel come from?
Kimpel is a German surname, derived from the name of a small town in Westphalia. It is especially common today in northern Germany, especially in the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also fairly common in the Midwest and other parts of the United States, with many Kimpels having emigrated from Germany in the late 1800s. There are also Kimpels in parts of the Netherlands, particularly in Friesland and Groningen, where the name may have been brought by immigrants or bearers of the surname from Germany.
The name Kimpel is said to mean a 'mosquito-infested plank of wood', and it has many variant spellings such as Kumpel, Kumple, and Kümpel. There is an old saying in Germany that reads, “Nichts ein Kumpel, kein Glück” which translates to “Nothing without a Kumpel, no luck”. The surname Kimpel is found in records going back as far as the middle of the 15th century, and its earliest recorded usage can be found in the tax records of the town of Herford in 1478.
Since its beginnings, Kimpel has been a fairly common name. It is estimated that there are currently around 150,000 individuals in the world who carry this surname.
Variations of the surname Kimpel
The surname Kimpel is likely of German origin and is derived from the name Kempfel or Kämpfel. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for this name would include Kimble, Koempel, Karmpell, Kompel, Kampels, Kumpell, and Kempels.
Kimpel is a variation of the German word "Kämpfel", which means "little fighter". This appears to be an occupational name referring to a fierce, courageous bodyguard, retainers, or militia members.
The name Kimpel is relatively rare but has been recorded in the United States and other countries. Variations such as Kimble and Koempel are typically found in English-speaking countries, while Karmpell, Kompel, Kampels, Kumpell, and Kempels can be found in German-speaking regions.
The spelling of the surname Kimpel has also changed over time, and was originally spelled Kompel or Kampel. Records of the name date to at least the early 17th century in Germany, where it was sometimes spelled as Kempel or Kempfel.
Based on variants of the name, it can be speculated that Kompel may have likely been the original German spelling, while Kimble may have been a conventional change in spelling due to the standardization of English. It is possible that the name Kimpel could be an anglicized form of Kompel.
Famous people with the name Kimpel
- Andrea Kimpel: German national squash player who won gold medals in the World Championship and European Championships.
- Anke Kimpel: German actress with a wide range of roles and TV appearances.
- Bernhard Kimpel: German football player who played for Borussia Dortmund, VfB Stuttgart, and SC Fortuna Köln.
- Jackie Kimpel: American country music artist who has released several albums and toured throughout the United States.
- Lawrence Kimpel: American television writer and producer, best known for his work on the programs Roseanne, Hudson Street, and The War at Home.
- Sarah Kimpel: Professional dancer and choreographer, most recognized for her collaborations with Mariah Carey, Teyana Taylor, and Solange.
- Timothy J. Kimpel: Military hero who received the Navy and Marine Corps medal for his heroism during the Vietnam War.
- William L. Kimpel: Revered landscape photographer whose work has been shown at galleries around the world.