A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kampe family of Germany.
Reg. 2415 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un arbre posé sur un tertre, le fût accosté de deux glands tigés et feuillés, mouv. chacun d'un petit chicot en fasce, le tout de sin. Bri. de sin. et d'arg. C.: un gland de l'écu avec son chicot. L.: d'arg. et de sin.”
GermanyHambourg, c. 1765
Where the Kampe Arms Were Recorded
Hambourg
Map of Germany showing where the Kampe arms are recorded
The Kampe arms were recorded in Hambourg, c. 1765.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Kampe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Kampe Family in Germany
The family name Kampe has deep roots in Northern Germany, where it functioned as a topographical surname. In the German language, the word "Kamp" refers to a piece of enclosed land or a field, often derived from the Latin word "campus." Families who took this name were likely identified by their connection to a specific plot of farmland or a rural estate. By the time records confirm the family presence in Hamburg in 1765, the name was already well-established among the local population. During this period, Hamburg served as a bustling center for trade and commerce, which likely influenced the family's transition from agricultural roots toward urban professional life. As the family became part of the city's history, they contributed to the growth of a region known for its strong ties to maritime industry and civic organization.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kamp
An enclosed piece of land or a field.
This name
KampeA topographic name for someone who lived near or worked on a field.
also spelled
Kamp
Kamps
Kampf
Related arms
Campvariant spelling
Campevariant spelling
Kampvariant spelling
Kampsvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Staatsarchiv Hamburg, Kirchenbücher der Hamburger Gemeinden, 1765
Udolph, Jürgen, Duden Familiennamen: Herkunft und Bedeutung von 20.000 Nachnamen, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
