Surname Pohlkemper - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Pohlkemper: What does the surname Pohlkemper mean?
The last name Pohlkemper is derived from the German language and is derived from the Middle Low German word 'pohlkemper'. This surname refers to a person who was someone who owned or ran a 'pohlhof', which was a type of inner courtyard estate typically found in German-speaking countries.
This type of estate would usually consist of multiple buildings and a central yard, usually surrounded by a wall. This estate could be used for various purposes such as a retreat, farming, living quarters, or trading. This type of estate was owned by either an aristocrat or a farmer of some wealth. The owners of such an estate would typically be referred to as 'Pohlkemper'.
The German Pohlkemper surname ranges from northern to southern Germany, but is most commonly found in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. In terms of the meaning of the name itself, it is thought that it is derived from the German root words 'pohlen', which means 'to plough', and 'kemper', which literally means 'keeper' or 'keeper of the fields'. Put together, the meaning of the surname Pohlkemper is 'keeper or owner of the plough fields'.
In terms of current usage, the surname is still present throughout Germany and some parts of the United States. It is a relatively uncommon surname, which could be associated with farmers, people of noble or rural origins, or owners of the inner courtyard estates.
Order DNA origin analysisPohlkemper: Where does the name Pohlkemper come from?
The last name Pohlkemper is most commonly seen today in Germany. Typically found in the lower Rhine region, and more specifically in Lower Saxony, Pohlkemper is believed to be a relatively ancient Germanic family name. In surname lore, Pohlkemper is said to have derived from the ancient German element “pohl” which means “soldier”. It is believed members of the Pohlkemper family served in the army of the Holy Roman Empire in its earlier days.
In modern Germany, Pohlkemper is a relatively rare surname, though still not considered especially uncommon. Within Germany, the name is most heavily concentrated in the northern states of Lower Saxony, Lower Rhine, Saxony-Anhalt, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Based on surname distribution data from Forebears, Pohlkemper is the 5,905th most common surname in Germany. In Germany alone, it is estimated there are approximately 4,300 Pohlkempers living today.
Pohlkemper is also present in the United States, where it is believed to have been brought over by German immigrants primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries. The precise number of Pohlkempers living in America is unknown, though it can be safely assumed to be a relatively small population. On average, Pohlkempers living in the United States today likely number in the hundreds.
Variations of the surname Pohlkemper
Pohlkemper is a surname of German origin and is derived from the old German word "polka". The surname is believed to have first appeared in 15th century Germany and is related to names such as Polkemper, Pulkamper, and Polkempert. Variant spellings of the same surname include Polkamper, Polgemper, and Polgampfer.
Pohlkemper is also thought to have evolved from a few other German surnames, such as Pöhlke, Pohlke, Polke, and Polka. These surnames all have the same meaning—someone who is related to polka dancing—but the variant spelling has replaced the original spelling of the surname over time.
Other related surnames include Pölzel, Pölzeler, Pulzer, Pülz, and Pölzner. These surname variations are all derived from the Middle High German word "pelles" which meant "dance tuning".
In other parts of the world, the surname is sometimes spelt differently such as Polyakomper in Russia and Podkampoo in Finland. These variations are most likely due to the surname being adapted to the local language.
The surnames Pohlkemper, Polkamper and Polgemper may also have some relation to Pohlemper, a popular variation of the German surname Pohl, which was used in the past as a middle name. Pohl is the German word for "fool" or "simpleton", so it is possible that this surname also comes from the same word "polka".
In conclusion, the surname Pohlkemper has a long history and has evolved over time to include many different spellings and related surnames. Its links to polka dancing have also been a consistent theme throughout history, and have led to the creation of numerous related variations of the same surname.
Famous people with the name Pohlkemper
- Arnd Pohlkemper: German football player
- Johann Leopold Pohle: German composer
- Anton Pohlkemper: Vice admiral in Imperial German Navy
- Johann Pohle: German sculptor
- Patrick Pohlkemper: German footballer
- Harald Pohlkemper: German footballer
- Johannes Pohlkemper: German architect, best known for designing the Altar of Tambach
- Salme Pohlkemper: Finnish ceramist
- Adele Pohlkemper: Visual artist, sculptor and painter
- Philipp Pohlkemper: German painter