Surname Roßkämmer - Meaning and Origin
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Roßkämmer: What does the surname Roßkämmer mean?
The surname Roßkämmer is a German patronymic name derived from the Middle Low German words "Roß" and "Kämmer". The word "Roß" is a shortened version of "Rohr", which translates to "reed" in English. The word "Kämmer" means "keeper" or "steward" and it is also thought to be derived from the Middle Low German word "Kämmen", which translates to "comb" - possibly referring to a person responsible for the combing of wool or horses' manes.
The earliest known records of the Roßkämmer surname date back to the 16th century, when a Hans Roßkämmer was documented as a resident of Bavaria. The word "Kämmer" at this time would have suggested a profession of some authority, such as an administrator, tax collector or mayor. The surname is traditionally found in the German states of Bavaria and Thuringia, indicating that this is where the lineage originated from.
The Roßkämmer surname is most likely still in existence today, however due to German name laws that changed from the 19th century onward, it may now be more common to find the spelling "Roskammer". Regardless of spelling, the surname is thought to indicate a family of administrative or municipal-related individuals who have been around since at least the 16th century.
Order DNA origin analysisRoßkämmer: Where does the name Roßkämmer come from?
The last name Roßkämmer is a relatively uncommon name in the world today. Its origins lie in German-speaking countries, specifically in Lower German dialects in the region now known as Northwest Germany. This area includes the modern states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The meaning of the name Roßkämmer can be translated to mean ‘horse custodian.’ Although Roßkämmer was originally an occupational name, now it is more likely to be used as a surname.
Today, the name Roßkämmer is most frequently found in Germany. According to telefonbuch.de, one of the most extensive German telephone directories, there are currently about 550 people with this surname living in Germany. Of these, 48% are found in the state of Lower Saxony, 12% in Schleswig-Holstein and 10% in North Rhine-Westphalia. Additionally, there are approximately 90 people with the last name Roßkämmer living in Austria.
Outside of those countries, the name Roßkämmer is not very common. In the United States, only 11 individuals currently have this surname, and in the United Kingdom, there is only one. The size of the Roßkämmer family is relatively small, but those that have the name are proud to carry on their German heritage.
Variations of the surname Roßkämmer
The surname Roßkämmer is used primarily in Germany and is of German-Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is derived from the German word roßkammer, which means "horse chamber." The original bearer of this surname likely worked in the horse chamber and the name is thus occupational in nature.
The surname Roßkämmer has a number of variants that are used either interchangeably or within certain regions. The most common variants include Roßkamm, Rosskämmer, Rosskamm, Roßkammer, and Roßkämpfer. The diminutive forms Rosskämmchen and Rosskämpfchen are also used.
The most commonly used surname form, Roßkämmer, often combines into a compound with other surnames, such as von Roßkämmer. Other combinations include Marquardt-Roßkämmer, von Roßkämpfen, and von der Roßkämper.
Other variants of this surname include Roßkampf, Roßkamp, and Roßkamper.In some cases, the original spelling of the surname has been softened, resulting in variants such as Rösken and Röskamp.
In conclusion, the surname Roßkämmer has numerous variants, spellings, and combinations used in different regions and languages. Variants of the surname may occasionally be encountered in records and should be checked for accuracy.
Famous people with the name Roßkämmer
- Bernd Roßkämmer: German soccer coach
- Mike Roßkämmer: German Paralympic swimmer and former national swimming champion
- Peter Roßkämmer: German commercial and film photographer
- Katharina Roßkämmer: German international skeleton racer
- Barbara Roßkämmer: former German badminton player
- Paul Roßkämmer: German politician and former Deputy Mayor of Limburg
- Astrid Roßkämmer: German media personality
- Chris Roßkämmer: German classical pianist
- Prof. Dr. Reinhard Roßkämmer: retired professor of Biopolymer Technology at Baylor University
- Jakob Roßkämmer: German actor and director