Surname Steinkam - Meaning and Origin
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Steinkam: What does the surname Steinkam mean?
The last name Steinkam is of German origin, derived from the words "stein" and "kam". The German word stein means rock or stone, and the word kam means corner or bend.
Together, the phrase steinkam translates to "corner of the rock". As a nickname for a person, this phrase could indicate a family that was associated with a particular area or a specialized profession like masonry. In parts of Germany, the last name Steinkam could be found amongst several artisan guilds including butchers and bakers. It is also possible that an ancestor of this last name once lived in a rocky landscape or owned property in such an area, leading to this nickname becoming a hereditary last name.
Over time, Steinkam has become a more established surname. Early records in German archives report spellings such as Steinkampe, Steinkampf, Steinbam, and Stenkamp. Many of those families were involved in mining and copper-working trades throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.
Today, Steinkam is a fairly common last name in Germany and many other countries throughout Europe and the world. It is also found amongst descendants of German-speaking emigrants and immigrants who travelled to North and South America during 19th century. Most Steinkam families still live within Europe, primarily in Germany, Netherlands, and Scandinavia.
Order DNA origin analysisSteinkam: Where does the name Steinkam come from?
The last name Steinkam is most commonly found in parts of Germany and the Netherlands. Steinkam is derived from the Old German words ‘stein’ meaning stone and ‘kam’ meaning border. This indicates that the Steinkam surname was likely conferred on the ancestors of those with this name for having lived near or at a stone border. It's also possible that Steinkam was first used as a nickname for people believed to possess a 'tough' character.
In Germany, the surname Steinkam appears in the records of villages and towns located in the East, mainly in the states of Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg. In recent decades, descendants of this surname have been primarily located in the larger cities along the Rhine River.
The Netherlands holds a significant population of individuals bearing the Steinkam name. Although the area was not a part of Germany during the original bestowal of the Steinkam surname, many people with this name today likely have direct ancestral ties to early Dutch settlers.
In the United States, Steinkam is an uncommon surname. Those with the Steinkam surname living in the U.S. are more than likely of either German or Dutch descent and their familial ties connected those immigrants to the original holders of the Steinkam surname.
Variations of the surname Steinkam
The Steinkam surname has multiple variants and spellings. Some of the most common variants and spellings include Steinchen, Steinkern, Steinköer, Steinkopf, Steinkopp, Steinkram, and Steinkuehn.
In some cases, the variant spells may follow a given name instead of the surname. A frequent example of this is Ludwig Steinkam becoming Ludwig Steinköer. Some other variants may also be used in different parts of the world such as Steinkan in Germany and Steinken in Norway.
In some families, the Steinkam name has also been combined with other surnames to form a composite surname. Examples include Steinkamm, Steinkammer, and Steinkautsch. There are also variations that can be found in different locations in the world like Steinkogel found mostly in Austria and Steinki in Jewish communities from Germany and Central Europe.
In German, Steinkam can also be used as the given name as opposed to the surname. For instance, names such as Erich Steinkam or Walter Steinkam may appear in family records.
Surnames which have the same origin as Steinkam can also be found. Some of the more common surnames include Stienham, Steinheim, Stamhem, Stemchim, Steimle, and Steinhil. While these surnames may not be exact matches of Steinkam, they are closely related and can often be found in the same family tree.
Famous people with the name Steinkam
- Heidi Steinkamp––German tennis player and coach.
- Rüdiger Steinkamp––German soccer coach.
- Peter Steinkamp––German biochemist and molecular biologist.
- Mark Steinkamp––American professional powerlifter and record holder.
- Bradley Steinkamp––American Olympic gymnast.
- Katerina Steinkamp––German fashion model.
- Michele Steinkamp––American figure skater.
- Alex Steinkamp––German ice hockey player.
- Michael Steinkamp––German politician and Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs.
- Konstantin Steinkamp––German artist and photographer.