Surname Waterkamp - Meaning and Origin

Waterkamp: What does the surname Waterkamp mean?

Waterkamp is a Dutch name derived from living near a body of water. The first part of the name, “Watter”, is a Dutch variation of water, while the second part, “kamp”, is derived from the Dutch word for “encampment” or “stronghold”. Together, the name Waterkamp denotes a place near a body water.

In the Netherlands, where the name originated, Waterkamp is a relatively common name due to the country’s low-lying geography, which is dominated by rivers, canals and coastal land. Additionally, many of the country’s officials had historically fortified small encampment settlements around these water sources.

In modern times, the surname Waterkamp is most commonly encountered in the United States, Germany, and France. In the US, the surname was first recorded in the mid-1800s, as a great number of Dutch immigrants settled in the country. In Germany and France, the surname was recorded more recently, as the result of 20th century migration from the Netherlands.

For those with the name, the association with water likely conjures up nostalgic memories and a sense of pride in their Dutch heritage. Such feelings can be further strengthened by seeking out colourful stories associated with the historic encampments that were first based at the water sources near which the Waterkamp surname originated.

Waterkamp: Where does the name Waterkamp come from?

The last name Waterkamp is most common in Germany. According to the 2021 statistics by Forebears, it was ranked at 6,305, with an estimated 1,034 people in Germany bearing the name Waterkamp. Additionally, it seems that the last name is being spread out more to other countries, such as the United States, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.

In the United States, the census of 2010 found that there were an estimated 130 people with the last name Waterkamp, spread out across 33 states. The states with the highest concentration of the name are Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Pennsylvania; together they make up 60% of the total U.S. population with the last name Waterkamp. On an international level, there are also 9 people in Canada, 3 in Australia, and 2 in UK bearing the name Waterkamp.

It seems that the name Waterkamp is more spread out across the world than it used to be in the past centuries; its presence in other countries is more than ever before. The spread of this last name could be attributed to the increasing mobility of people as well as to an expanding German diaspora.

Variations of the surname Waterkamp

The surname Waterkamp is of Dutch origin and is derived from the words water and kamp meaning "a watery camp" or "a place in the water". This surname can come in a variety of spellings such as Waterkamp, Waterkampen, Waterkampman, Waterzkamp, Waeterkamp, Waaterkampen, Waaterkampman, Wadekamp and Watekamp.

Variants of the Waterkamp surname can also be found in other languages such as German (Wasserkamp, Wasserzenkamp) or French (Vatercamp, Vaterzcamp) which can be found among those of German or French heritage who emigrated from the Netherlands.

Additionally, other surnames such as Waterman, Waterkampher, Kamphoeve, Kampf, Kamps and Kampinga may also have derived from the same origin. All these surnames have the same root of the words 'water' and 'kamp' and relate to the places near or in the water that the original Dutch settlers flow from.

Variations of this surname can be found across Europe due to the amount of emigration away from the Netherlands over the centuries and can even been seen in the US and Canada in the form of Watercamp, Watecamp and Waercamp.

Famous people with the name Waterkamp

• Lies Waterkamp: TV Personality
• Henrieke Waterkamp: Director, Writer and Producer
• Niels Waterkamp: Boxer
• Ingmar Waterkamp: Artist
• Pascal Waterkamp: Actor and Producer
• Mathilde Waterkamp: Fashion Model
• Michel Waterkamp: Politician
• Ute Waterkamp: Comedian
• Mattis Waterkamp: Musician
• Jan Waterkamp: Politician
• Vivien Waterkamp: Discus Thrower
• Elisa Waterkamp: Basketball Player
• Lars Waterkamp: Volleyball Player
• Niclas Waterkamp: Discus Thrower
• Tristan Waterkamp: Curler
• Christoph Waterkamp: Cycling Coach
• Keith Waterkamp: Chess Player
• Rene Waterkamp: Swimmer
• Pierre Waterkamp: Football Player
• Mieke Waterkamp: Dancer

Other surnames

Waterkämper