Surname Sempf - Meaning and Origin

Sempf: What does the surname Sempf mean?

The origin and meaning of the last name Sempf is unclear, however, it is likely of German or Austrian origin. It is also possible that it is an altered form of other German names, such as Samp, Semp, Semm, Simp, Simm, Sempa or a similar name.

Sempf is a patronymic surname, which is derived from the first name of a father or ancestor, in this case, most likely the first name of a father of a family, such as Sebastian or Sam. Variations of the surname may have originated from different geographical regions and dialects, and the same name may be spelt differently over time.

It is believed that the Sempf surname is most common within Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Census records from these countries suggest that it is a fairly rare name, found primarily in the southern regions of each country.

Although the origins and meaning of the surname Sempf remain unclear, what is certain is that its bearers have descended from a proud family or individual of German or Austrian origin. The Sempf surname and its variations most likely indicate a long and proud family history and a distinguished heritage.

Sempf: Where does the name Sempf come from?

The last name Sempf is relatively uncommon today. As of 2020, it is most commonly found in the German-speaking regions of Europe, primarily in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Within those countries, Sempf is concentrated in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Thuringia in Germany; Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Upper Austria in Austria; and the cantons of Zurich, Basel-Stadt, and Aargau in Switzerland.

The Sempf surname is derived from a number of old German names including Sempert and Simmert. It is believed to have originated in the Franco–German border region during the Middle Ages, when many migrants from France settled in the area and adopted local surnames. As a result, there is also a small concentration of Sempf ancestors in France, particularly in the Alsace-Lorraine region.

The most famous person to bear the last name Sempf is Albert Sempf, a German actor, comedian, and musician who appeared in over 400 films and television shows during his long career. He was a very popular figure in post-war Germany, and his comedic style is still remembered fondly.

Overall, today the last name Sempf is not particularly common anywhere in the world. However, it is still more widely distributed in the countries of Central Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Sempf

The surname Sempf is a German surname of Jewish origin and is derived from the Hebrew word “semef”, which means “gift”. The variant spellings of the name include Samf, Semf, Semfe, Sempf, Simf and Simfe.

Some of the variant surnames that are linked to Sempf include Sampf, Sampe, Samppy, Sentpfel, Sentpffer, and Sempff. In some cases, these surnames may be spelled with different letters or pronounced with a different emphasis on different syllables.

The Sempf surname is also related to another Jewish surname, Sempt, which was derived from the Hebrew word “simet”, which means “attached” or “bound”. Sempt is sometimes written as Sempte, Sampt, Sempth, Sempte, Semptt, Semt, Semte, Simpt, Simpte, and Simptt.

In Germany, the most common variant of the Sempf surname is the spelling Semf. Other historical spellings of the surname include Semff and Semmf.

Many variations of the surname Sempf have evolved over time, including spellings that have been adapted to different countries or have been changed to reflect migratory paths. Many Sempf families underwent name changes due to persecution during World War II, and the name may have been changed to Samf, Simf or even without the letter "p".

There are many Sempf families in Europe, Australia, and North America. In the United States, the large majority of Sempf families live in Ohio, Pennsylvania, California, and New York.

The Sempf surname can be found in many forms, with many variations. In some cases, the original Sempf surname has been adapted and changed to reflect the areas where families settled or the migratory paths they took in order to escape persecution. Nonetheless, all of these surnames are rooted in the same origin.

Famous people with the name Sempf

• Dave Sempf: Dave Sempf is an American author, comedian, actor and speaker. He has written bestseller books such as The Narcissist's Manager's Manual, Hearts Full of Crazy and Watch Me Disappear.
• Paul Sempf: Paul Sempf is a Professor Emeritus at Defiance College, where he taught history for forty-six years. He is the author of several books, including Revolutionary War: A Fighter’s Tale and Pietism and American Culture. He was also the co-author of The Great Awakening: The Religious Foundations of Politics, Slave Revolt and Revolution in the early American Republic.
• Karl Sempf: Karl Sempf was a professional pianist and organist in the German Romantic School. He was the director of the Music Conservatoire in Frankfurt, and taught organ at the Strasbourg Conservatory.
• Steve Sempf: Steve Sempf is an American electrical engineer and inventor. He is the creator of the WPF-C# IDE, Regex Studio, and the Penryx® MATLAB library.
• Cone Sempf: Cone Sempf was a professional ice hockey player. He played a total of eleven seasons in the National Hockey League, from 1951 to 1962. He won the Stanley Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1962.
• Rachel Sempf: Rachel Sempf is an American orthopedic surgeon. She serves as the Chief of the Orthopedic Trauma Service in the Department of Orthopedics at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
• Andrew Sempf: Andrew Sempf is an American lawyer who specializes in intellectual property, business law and copyright. He is a partner in the law firm of Purcell Love & Sevitch, P.L.L.C., and a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association.
• Jerry Sempf: Jerry Sempf is a retired Major League Baseball player. He played nine seasons, from 1979 to 1987, as an infielder, pitcher and designated hitter.

Other surnames

SempSempff