KEMPLAY
Kemplay
Kemplay is a surname of English origin, specifically prominent in the northern counties of England. The name Kemplay is an occupational surname derived from the Old English word "cempa," meaning soldier or warrior, and "leah," which means wood or clearing. Therefore, the name Kemplay likely originated as a nickname for someone who lived near a wooded area frequented by soldiers or warriors.
The earliest recorded instance of the Kemplay surname dates back to the late 16th century in the county of Yorkshire, England. Over the centuries, families with the surname Kemplay have been found primarily in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cumbria, indicating a regional concentration in the north of England.
The Kemplay surname is relatively rare, and individuals bearing this name often have a shared ancestry traceable to a common progenitor from centuries past. The Kemplay family history is likely to be a rich tapestry, reflecting the social and historical contexts of northern England.
Today, individuals with the surname Kemplay can be found across the United Kingdom and in various parts of the world where British descendants have settled. The name Kemplay, while modest in prevalence, continues to be a part of the diverse mosaic of British surnames that enrich the tapestry of the nation's heritage.
There are approximately 74 people named Kemplay in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Kemplay.