A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Kempf family of Germany.
Reg. 2477 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur au senestrochère, arm. de sa., la main de carn. tenant une épée d'arg., garnie d'or; au 2 d'arg. à une grue avec sa vigilance au nat., posée sur un tertre de sin. L'écu bordé d'or. Cq. cour. C.: une femme iss., les cheveux épars, hab. d'arg., tenant de chaque main une banderole, coupée alt. d'arg. et de gu. L. d'arg. et d'azur. S.: à dextre une aigle de Prusse reg., ch. sur”
Germanyc. 1786
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Map of Germany showing where the Kempf arms are recorded
The Kempf arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1786.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Germany when the Kempf 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 Kempf Family in Germany
The surname Kempf is a classic German occupational name that traces its roots back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle High German word *kempfe*, which translates to a fighter or a champion. During the feudal era, this name was often given to individuals who participated in organized tournaments or served as professional soldiers. By the time members of the family were documented in Bavaria in 1786, the name had become well-established across southern Germany. Families bearing this name were typically involved in agricultural or trade communities, living through the significant social and political shifts that defined the Bavarian region during the late eighteenth century. As a result, the name reflects a long history of resilience and practical service within the local population.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kampf
A struggle, fight, or combat.
This name
KempfA nickname for a warrior, a pugnacious individual, or a soldier.
also spelled
Kaempff
Kaempfe
Kaempfh
Kempf
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
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
