Surname Rappe - Meaning and Origin
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Rappe: What does the surname Rappe mean?
The last name Rappe is of German origin. The name is derived from the German word "rape" which means frog, and was likely used as a nickname for someone who resembled the amphibian in some way.
Initially, the name was spelled "Rappe" but later it evolved to the modern spelling, "Rapp". It is estimated that the surname is several hundred years old. Records show that it was used as far back as the 1500s when Johannes Rappe, a barber in Nuremberg, Germany, is documented in 1592.
In the 1800s, the name spread to the United States and Canada, where it became a surname in its own right. It was particularly popular in eastern Pennsylvania, indicating that it likely originated from German immigrants who had settled in that area.
The Rappe name is relatively uncommon in the United States, but some people who still carry it may be related to the original German Rappes. While the Rappe surname is not commonly used or heard of today, there are certain areas, especially in the United States and Germany, where Rappe can be found as a surname with some regularity.
Order DNA origin analysisRappe: Where does the name Rappe come from?
The last name Rappe is most associated with Germany, as evidence suggests that the name was first taken up there centuries ago. It is still present in Germany today, with more than 700 people holding the last name. It is much less common in other parts of Europe, but is still present in some countries in the region, such as Austria and the Czech Republic.
Rappe is also common in the United States, although there the name is usually spelled as "Rapp." In the US 2020 census, there were nearly 1300 people with the last name Rappe, spread out over the entire country - though the largest populations were in Wisconsin, Florida, and Illinois.
The name is less common in other parts of the world, but still present in some countries, such as Canada and Mexico. It is unclear the exact origins of the last name, but it is likely that it was originally of German descent and taken up during some period of migration.
Today, the last name Rappe is scattered throughout the globe, showing that it has maintained its presence throughout history.
Variations of the surname Rappe
Rappe is a German surname of Slavic origin, derived from the word "rap," meaning uprooting or destruction. It is most commonly found in German-speaking countries like Austria and Germany. Variations of the name may include Rapp, Rappel, Rappe, Rappel, Rapph, Rappeler, and Rappeln, as well as hyphenated combinations of those spellings, such as Raap-Rappe or Rapp-Rappel. It is also sometimes spelled Raph or Rape. These variations are sometimes used interchangeably in the same family line, as the spelling of the name adapts over time.
Any of the various spellings can also be combined with a variety of other last names to form more unique surnames, such as Rappen-Köhler, Rappenhorst, Rappenberger, and Rapplin. These surnames are usually based on other family names, occupations, or locations associated with the original Rappe family.
Variations and combinations of this name can also be found in other areas of the world, like the United States. Despite the different spellings, all variations of the Rappe surname derive from the same set of origins. Its related names provide insight into these origins, as they often bear references to destructions, uprooting, or even blacksmiths. All of these variations tie together to form the history of the Rappe surname.
Famous people with the name Rappe
- Akseli Gallen-Kallela: Finnish painter, known for his illustrations of the Kalevala
- Emil Albert Rappe: American monk, chaplain, and professor at the Catholic University of America
- Kyra ElLeena Rappe: Former American NBA dancer
- Anna Rappe: Swedish artist, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
- Gottlieb Rappe: German-born physicist
- Will Rappe: American professional golfer
- Richard Rappe: American sculptor and medalist
- John Rappe: American landscape painter
- Eva Rappe-Gyllensten: Swedish author
- Olof Rappe: Swedish architect, best known for his design of the world's largest wooden building, the Stockholm Olympic Stadium