Surname Osterkemper - Meaning and Origin
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Osterkemper: What does the surname Osterkemper mean?
The last name Osterkemper is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "osterkemper." The name literally translates to "eastern cooper," indicating the family was originally a family of coopers, or barrel makers, from the area's easternmost region. The name was likely originally associated with a specific family of barrel makers in the Middle Ages and has been carried on through the generations.
Although the original meaning of the word has somewhat been lost in modern times, the name Osterkemper still has elements of the original concept. It is likely that this name, or a similar version of it, has been in use since the Middle Ages. The name can also be found in records from the 16th century, indicating the family has a long and proud history.
The word "cooper" is one that is still used to this day. It is used to refer to a person who makes and repairs barrels, buckets, and other types of vessels. This activity was once a very important and widely appreciated craft.
Although the original meaning of the word has been largely lost in modern times, the name Osterkemper still remains as a reminder of the family's heritage. It is a reminder of the importance of barrel makers in the Middle Ages, and of the proud and long-standing history of the family.
Order DNA origin analysisOsterkemper: Where does the name Osterkemper come from?
The last name Osterkemper is a German surname derived from the Low German “Oster” meaning “east” and combined with “Kemper” for “soldiers”. Therefore, the name likely had its origin among an ancient group of East Germanic soldiers.
Today, the last name Osterkemper is widely found in Germany and the surrounding regions. According to the GNIS Geographical Database, it is particularly prevalent in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region, as well as in the country’s Lower Saxony and Hesse states. Similarly, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and Belgium all have a significant number of Osterkempers living within their borders.
In regional terms, the most densely populated Osterkemper regions in Germany are located in the cities of Essen, Rhein-Erft-Kreis, Duisburg, Krefeld, Oberhausen, and Mönchengladbach. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the major metropolitan metropolitan city of Cologne is the largest city with individuals sharing of the Osterkemper surname.
As for other parts of the world, the last name Osterkemper is known in parts of the United States, particularly Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and New York. Osterkemper immigrants can also be found in countries such as Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, and Argentina.
Overall, the last name Osterkemper is still widely found today in its European region of origin, as well as parts of North America and beyond. It is likely that as marketing makes global migration easier, populations of Osterkempers may continue to spread into other countries.
Variations of the surname Osterkemper
The surname Osterkemper is a German family name which first appeared in records in the 16th century. The name is derived from the Old German word ôstere meaning an "eastern man" or "man from the east", with kemper meaning "vassal". This surname is often spelled ôsterkemper, oesterkemper or osterkamp. Variants of the Osterkemper surname include Österkamp, Osterkamp, Osterkämper, Osterkamper and Österkamper.
Surnames of similar origin include Eastin, Easton, Estes and Eustace. The surname Eastin is derived from the Old English word easten, meaning "from the east". Similarly, Easton is derived from the Middle English term for "east town". Estes derives from the Old French word for "easterner". The surname Eustace is derived from the Latin name Eustachius which is derived from the Greek name Eustochios meaning "fruitful".
In some cases, Osterkemper may be abbreviated to Ostkampers or Ostekampers. This is a common practice in German-speaking countries to simplify words or names.
Include Osterkemper there are numerous variations of the surname that are encountered over the centuries. As a result many families share a common ancestor. Further, the origin of the Osterkemper surname is clear and provides insight into the medieval German society from which it emerged.
Famous people with the name Osterkemper
- Kyle Osterkemper: Professional hockey player who is currently signed to Wichita Thunder in the ECHL.
- Chris Osterkemper: Professional baseball player who previously played for the Chicago White Sox and the San Diego Padres.
- Lisa Osterkemper: Olympic medalist in swimming from Germany who won multiple medals in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
- Heinz Osterkemper: Professional soccer player who played for German clubs as well as for U.S. Soccer in the early 1900s.
- Gerd Osterkemper: Professional Formula One driver from Germany who raced for the Williams team in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Saul Osterkemper: Famous painter from Germany who had a major impact on post-world war II Western European art.
- Christopher Osterkemper: Award-winning novelist and playwright who wrote “The Well of Grief” and “Four Plays for Bastille Day.”
- Bill Osterkemper: Notable composer, arranger and producer with over thirty years of experience in the music industry.
- Carl Osterkemper: World War II veteran awarded the Silver Star for bravery in battle.
- Barbara Osterkemper: Noted documentary photographer whose work has been featured in art galleries and major international publications.