Surname Rap - Meaning and Origin

Rap: What does the surname Rap mean?

The last name Rap is of German origin and refers to an occupational surname. People with this last name were originally those who worked as a rapier maker or a locksmith. The word ‘rap’ itself is derived from a Germanic root which in turn came from the Latin ‘rapire’, meaning ‘to snatch’ or ‘to grab’.

It is believed that the first people to bear the Rap name came from the Rhineland region of Germany in the 12th and 13th centuries. They could have been freed serfs, artisans, soldiers or members of the working class who settled near rivers and streams of that area.

The first documented instance of the Rap name was in 1289, when Johannes Rapal was mentioned in Tax Returns in a region near Kaufungen. Then, in the 16th century, the family moved to Franconia, a city in central Germany, and the Rap name began to spread throughout Germany and Eastern Europe.

Today, the Rap family can be found in various corners of the world. In the United States, the name is most commonly seen in metropolitan areas such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and more.

Though the true origin of the Rap name may remain a mystery, one thing is clear: It was a name given to those who worked with their hands, illustrating the hard-working spirit of the family that has endured for centuries.

Rap: Where does the name Rap come from?

The last name Rap is most commonly found today in parts of Europe, particularly in countries where Romance languages are prevalent such as France, Spain, and Portugal. It is also a common surname throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, Rap is a relatively common surname in various parts of Asia, including Taiwan, India, and Malaysia.

Rap is an occupational surname and is a variation of the Latin surname Rapere, meaning take, seize, snatch or grab. This indicates that it was assigned to someone who had to take something upon command, such as a soldier in the military or a messenger.

In North America, the surname Rap is most commonly found in the United States. The origin of the surname can be traced to many different regions and ethnicities. Most commonly, Rap is an Ashkenazi Jewish name with roots in Eastern Europe, while other Rap surnames can be found amongst French immigrants from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some Rap surnames are also derived from Irish and German roots. Within the United States, Rap is most common in the state of California.

Overall, the last name Rap is prominent worldwide, although its origins remain varied. It is a distinctive last name that has been used by many different ethnicities and regions throughout history.

Variations of the surname Rap

The surname Rap is a patronymic surname derived from an ancestor's given name "Rap". This name was commonly used in Britain in early Medieval times, and derived from an old Welsh personal name derived from the Latin "rappus", meaning "Battle". It has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variant is Raps, which is derived from the same base meaning as Rap. This variant is most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Scotland.

Other variants include Rapps, Rappes, Rapen, Raper, Rapon, Rapone, Rappa/Rappah, Rappell, Ravp, Rave, Raepp, and Rappo.

Other surnames of the same origin include Rapper, Rappio, Rappez, Rapast, Rapazzi, Rapaccino, and Rapoel.

Raap is a Dutch variant of this surname, and the variants Axelraap and Michaelsraap are found in the Netherlands.

Rappa is an Italian and Spanish variant, and Radesh is a Hebrew variant.

Rapp is an Austrian variant, and Rabe is a variant most commonly found in East Prussia.

Rappa, Rabe, and Rapoel can also be used as given names. Rap can also be found as a first name in the United States and Europe.

Famous people with the name Rap

• Eminem (Marshall Mathers): Rapper, actor, and songwriter.
• Rapsody: Rapper and Grammy-nominated producer.
• Lil’ Rap: Rapper and collab artist.
• King Von: Rapper and hip-hop artist.
• A$AP Rocky: Rapper, record producer, and actor.
• Phife Dawg: Rapper, producer, and member of the hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest.
• Lauryn Hill: Singer, songwriter, and member of the Fugees.
• Tech N9ne: Rapper and record producer.
• Lethal Bizzle: Rapper and Producer.
• Tekashi 6ix9ine: Rapper.
• Chicken Connoisseur: British YouTuber and rap artist.
• Absolute Beginner: German rap group.
• Swings: South Korean hip-hop artist.
• Ñengo Flow: Puerto Rican rapper and record producer.
• Pete Rock: American rapper, record producer, and DJ.
• Jamelody: Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist.
• Smiley: Dominican rapper.
• KRS-One: Rapper and record producer.
• Manu Chao: French singer, songwriter, and activist.
• Rapsody: Professional female rapper.

Other surnames

Rapa di PortoRapaaljeRapaeRapailRapaillerRapaillesRapaillierRapalRapaleeRapalgeRapalieRapaljeRapalleRapalyeaRapalyesRapaportRapareilletRapareillietRapareilliettRaparelletRaparellietRaparillieRaparlieRaparlienRaparlierRaparlietRapeRapelgeRapeljeRapelle