Surname Feldkamp - Meaning and Origin

Feldkamp: What does the surname Feldkamp mean?

The last name Feldkamp is of German origin and is derived from two words - Feld, meaning ‘field’ and Kamp, meaning ‘battle’ or ‘struggle’. As such, the literal meaning of the last name Feldkamp is ‘field battle’ or ‘field struggle’.

Feldkamp is a fairly uncommon last name today, but during the 12th-century Crusades, it is likely that a group of warriors who engaged in battle in a field adopted the Feldkamp family name to commemorate their achievement.

Feldkamp is a very unusual habitational name, rooted in the geographic origins of its original bearers. Geographical names often had a significant effect on the surnames that developed from them, and this is especially true of Feldkamp. Placenames were often used figuratively as terms for physical features such as fields, hills, and lakes. As a result, it is quite likely that individuals who lived in an area known for its fierce battles adopted the name Feldkamp out of reverence.

Throughout its history, Feldkamp has been borne by distinct families, each of which proudly carried the name. Today, the Feldkamp name is still seen around the world, a testament to the strength of its bearers. Although the exact origin of the Feldkamp name may remain uncertain, its legacy continues to live on in the families who proudly bear the name.

Feldkamp: Where does the name Feldkamp come from?

The last name Feldkamp is believed to be of Germanic origin and first appeared in documents dating back to the 19th century. It is most commonly found in Germany, with records primarily occurring in the state of Saxony. It is also found in other parts of Europe such as Austria and Switzerland, as well as in the United States and Canada.

The Feldkamp name is in slow decline in Germany and is now found in significantly lower numbers compared to the early parts of the 20th century. However, recent records suggest that it is still present throughout the country, with notable occurrences in the large cities such as Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, as well as smaller towns and villages.

Outside of Germany, Feldkamp is still quite commonly found in other European countries and in the US and Canada, where it is often found among German immigrants and amongst their descendants. It has also experienced a growth in popularity over the past couple of decades in some of the larger cities in the US.

Overall, the last name Feldkamp is not as common as it once was, but it is still prevalent in the countries where it was historically found, and exists to a lesser extent in other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Feldkamp

The Feldkamp surname originated in Prussia (now a part of Germany) in the Middle Ages. This surname has become common among German-speaking people, as well as people of other nationalities who emigrated from Prussia prior to World War II.

Variants of Feldkamp are Van Veldkamp, Van Feldkamp, Veldkamp and Feldkamps. The most common spelling today is Feldkamp.

Surnames derived from the same root include Feldcern/Feldsheern, Feldkemper, Feltscher, Feldscherer, Fehldemper, and Feldschern. In some cases, the suffix '-kamp' may have been dropped, creating surnames like Feldcer, Feldsheer, Feldkemper, Feldscher, Feltscher, Fehldemper, and Feldschern.

The root word is likely derived from the Old High German 'feld' or 'fealt', meaning a field or cleared land, indicating that this surname once belonged to those who lived in these areas. Another possibility is that it was the name of an ancestral village with the prefix 'feld' or 'fealt' in its name.

The spelling of Feldkamp has been used in numerous countries, even outside of Europe. In Mexico, Feldkamp is often spelled Feldcampa or Feldicampa. In Serbia, the same surname is known as Feldkampf. In Brazil, Feldkamp is sometimes spelled Feldquamp.

In the United States, there is a small population with Feldkamp listed as their surname, particularly in the Midwest and along the East Coast.

Famous people with the name Feldkamp

• Anne Feldkamp: American primatologist, researcher, and scientific author.
• Blake Feldkamp: professional American basketball player.
• Christine Feldkamp: Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer at Daimler.
• Don Feldkamp: former Major League Baseball player.
• Edward Feldkamp: Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering in Engineering and Science at the University of Cincinnati.
• Gary Feldkamp: U.S. Army veteran, former mayor of Decatur, Illinois, and 2011 Illinois State Senate candidate.
• Jan Feldkamp: professional German-American soccer player.
• John Feldkamp: former professional American football player with the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers.
• Lorreta Feldkamp: former three-term Mayor of Edgewater, Colorado.
• Lisa Feldkamp: American artist and arts administrator.
• Louis Feldkamp: former Mayor of Cincinnati and Ohio State Senator.
• Marie Feldkamp: award-winning author of historical fiction and non-fiction.
• Mark Feldkamp: former Cincinnati City Councilman.
• Nick Feldkamp: American film editor.
• Paul G. Feldkamp: American businessman, philanthropist, and former Cincinnati City Council member.
• Robert Feldkamp: German actor.
• Ryan Feldkamp: American college football coach and former player.
• Victoria Marie Feldkamp: Children's book author.
• Volker Feldkamp: German professional footballer.
• Xavier Feldkamp: Spanish musician and composer.

Other surnames

FeldkaemperFeldkammFeldkämper