Kamper

Kamper is a surname of Dutch origin. It is found in the Netherlands and among Dutch-speaking communities abroad. The name is typically toponymic, originating from settlements named Kamp or Kampen in the Low Countries, and may indicate descent from such a place. In historical records, Kamper can also appear as a descriptive label related to a geographic connection, though in modern usage it is primarily encountered as a family name.

The distribution of the surname Kamper reflects patterns of Dutch emigration, with bearers appearing in North America and other regions through centuries of migration. As a surname, Kamper is most often encountered in genealogical and civil records dating from the early modern period onward. It is one of several Dutch toponymic surnames that link individuals to a particular locale rather than to a specific patronymic lineage.

Kamper is distinct from similar-sounding terms in other languages. It should not be confused with Camper, an English word referring to a person who camps or to a vehicle used for camping, or Kämpfer, a German word or surname meaning “fighter.” In Dutch contexts, Kamper has a mainly genealogical and onomastic focus, rather than a common lexical meaning.