Surname Rapp - Meaning and Origin
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read moreRapp: What does the surname Rapp mean?
The surname Rapp is of German origin which evolved from the pre-existing personal name "Ralph". In medieval times, it used to be a popular personal name that means "wolf counsel" in Old Norse, implying a wise, cunning, and fierce leader. In addition, the name could also have been derived from Middle High German term "rap" meaning "quick" or "hasty", indicating it might have initially been a nickname for someone who was known for their quickness or haste. Moreover, it might also be an occupational surname for someone who stitches or sews clothes, stemming from the German term "rappen" meaning "to stitch or sew". Therefore, the surname Rapp could be related to a personal characteristic, a professional occupation, or even a geographic marker depending upon where it originated. However, its true interpretation might differ based on its regional histories and cultural pertinence. Like most surnames, the interpretations and associations may vary because they often developed organically, reflecting aspects of the bearers' lives, community, or identity.
Order DNA origin analysisRapp: Where does the name Rapp come from?
The last name Rapp is most commonly found in Germany and the United States. In Germany, it is found throughout the country, but is most consistently found in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Nordrhein-Westfalen, and Thüringen. In the United States, the last name Rapp is primarily found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New York, and California.
Coincidentally, Pennsylvania is the origin of the Rapp family name. The Rapp family is believed to have originated in 16th century Germany, and emigrated to the United States in the early 19th century. Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of Rapp families in the United States.
Rapp is an occupational surname that is derived from the Middle High German words “rap” and “rappe,” which both mean “rabbit.” This likely meant the individual either raised, hunted, or sold rabbits.
Rapp is also a popular surname among the Amish and Mennonite communities in Pennsylvania and Ohio. It is possible that the family has converted, or is a descendant of German Anabaptists who were seeking religious freedom in the 17th century.
The last name Rapp has spread throughout the world due to emigration and immigration. Today, people with the last name Rapp can be found in Australia, Canada, South Africa, Great Britain, South America, and beyond. As a result, it is difficult to trace the geographic origin or frequency of Rapp with 100% accuracy.
Variations of the surname Rapp
The surname Rapp is an ancient German surname whose roots are believed to have originated from a Middle High German term often used as a nickname, “Rap”, for a person with grey hair. Over time, this name has evolved with various spellings and surnames which are used across many countries due to the various migrations of people over the centuries.
The most common spelling variations of the Rapp surname include Rapp, Rappe, Rappel, Rappen, Rapple, Rapper, Raip, Repp, Reppe, Reppel, Repen, Ripper, Rippel and Revp.
The surname is also commonly found in other countries under its various other spellings and surnames. In France, the surname is often known as Rapin or Raven. In the Netherlands, it is recorded as Rappen, Rappe, Knappen, or van Rappard. In Scotland, it is documented as MacReip and Reep, while in Germany, the most common spellings are Repp, Rappen, Rapp, Rappel, and Rop.
In England, the surname is often found as Ripp, Rippon, Rippingale, Reep, Repp, and Rippe, depending on the region. It is also popular among other countries with German heritage, such as Austria, Switzerland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Due to its complex history, the Rapp surname remains popular around the world today.
Famous people with the name Rapp
- Peter Rapp, Austrian singer
- Dave Rapp, American football coach
- Andrea Rapp, Olympic freestyle skier
- Johnny Rapp, Major League Baseball player
- Ryan Rapp, American lawyer
- Alexandra Rapp, German long-distance runner
- Marc Rapp, American rower
- Abbie Rapp, American field hockey player
- David Rapp, American politician
- Paul Rapp, American actor