Surname Winterkamp - Meaning and Origin
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Winterkamp: What does the surname Winterkamp mean?
The last name Winterkamp is a German occupational surname derived from the word 'Winterkamp' which itself is derived from the Low German word 'Winterkampen', meaning winter camp or encampment. During the Middle Ages, many German farmers held winter camps in the mountains and forests of the region to herding their animals, collecting wood and harvesting crops. It is likely that Winterkamp was originally the name of one of those encampments, and later became the surname of the people who settled there.
This surname is commonly found in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany, in a town called Bergheim; the earliest documentation of the name dates back to 1711, when two brothers, Johann and Johann Hartman Winterkamp, appear in the local church records. It is likely that the family originally settled in Bergheim although the exact origin of the name has been lost over time.
As an occupational surname, Winterkamp indicates the person hails from a winter camp, and in some cases, that their ancestors were also involved in the activities that went on in these camps. These activities often included dairy production, cattle raising, forestry and in some cases, even military defense of the encampment during times of war. This is typical of a German occupational surname, and as such, the name Winterkamp is a part of German history and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisWinterkamp: Where does the name Winterkamp come from?
The last name Winterkamp is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands. It is an occupational name derived from the Dutch word "winterkamp," meaning a winter camp. During the Middle Ages, winter camps referred to settlements of people who had moved to lowland areas such as the mouth of a river or the coast of a lake, which were often flooded in the winter. These camps were used to hunt and fish, which provided an important source of food in winter.
Winterkamp is most common in West Germany, where it is especially concentrated around the areas of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also quite common in the Netherlands, especially in the provinces of Gelderland, Utrecht, and Noord-Holland. There are also smaller pockets of the name in Poland and Lithuania.
In recent years, people with the surname Winterkamp have spread out to other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, most people with the name are concentrated in the states of California, Illinois, and Michigan.
Overall, given its cultural and traditional roots, the last name Winterkamp is most commonly found in Europe. However, there are small but steadily growing numbers of people with the name living in other countries around the globe.
Variations of the surname Winterkamp
The surname Winterkamp is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German expression “winter-kam” meaning “winter camp”. Variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Winterkam, Winterkampf, Wintrkamp, Winterskamp, Winterskampf, Winterkampff, Wintterkamp, Wintterkampf, Wintterkampff, Winterkampe, and Winterkamphe.
The surname Winterkamp is found mainly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium but there are also some families in the United States and Canada who claim this name. An early American family of this surname was Johann Adam Winterskamp who arrived in Philadelphia in 1764.
In Germany, the surnames Winterkamp and Winterkampf are found mainly in the Lower Rhine region. The Dutch spelling is usually Winterkam(p). Examples of this name in the Netherlands include Cornelia Winterkam, born in Nederweert, Limburg, on April 5, 1699, and Anna Winterkamp, born in Meerlo, Limburg, on May 19, 1779.
In Switzerland, the Winterkamp surname is found mainly in the canton of Zurich and the canton of Basel. One early bearer of the surname in Switzerland was Johann Ulrich Winterskamp, who was born in Weiningen, Zurich, on December 1, 1759.
In Belgium, the Winterkamp surname is mainly found in the Flemish region, especially in the provinces of West and East Flanders. Early examples of the surname from Belgium include Antonie Winterkamp, baptised in Essen, Antwerp, on April 17, 1767, and an immigrant to the United States named Willem Wintercamp in 1855.
The surname Winterkamp can also be found in the United States, making its debut in the mid-19th century from German emigrants. Examples of this surname in America include Marie Winterkamp, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1877, and an immigrant to the United States from Bohemia named Joseph Winterskamp in 1882.
In conclusion, the surname Winterkamp is of German origin and has many variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The surname can be found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, and Canada.
Famous people with the name Winterkamp
- Janek Winterkamp: professional German discus thrower.
- Joe Winterkamp: former NFL running back for the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Carla Winterkamp: German Olympic volleyball player.
- Marc Winterkamp: Dutch footballer currently playing for Hobro IK.
- Arthur Winterkamp: Dutch reality TV star who competed on Big Brother Netherlands in 2018.
- Chief Petty Officer Jodi Winterkamp: US Navy enlisted sailor who has served in the Navy for over fifteen years.
- Marie Winterkamp: US skiing champion who has won several international competitions.
- Jasmine Winterkamp: American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
- Jan van Winterkamp: Dutch artist renowned for his landscape paintings.
- Tom Winterkamp: Dutch actor who starred in the hit television series, Nederland op Zondag.