Surname Rappenhöhner - Meaning and Origin
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Rappenhöhner: What does the surname Rappenhöhner mean?
The last name Rappenhöhner can be traced back to the Middle Ages, deriving from German personal names. The word "Rappenhöhner" is a combination of the German words for raven ("Rappe") and hens ("Höhner"), so it literally translates to "raven hens". This gives an indication of a very specific kind of activity that those with the name likely undertook.
The word likely originated as a nickname for someone who raised ravens or hunted with ravens, which was a popular pastime in the German Rhineland during the Middle Ages. Those who could afford to do so often kept and trained large birds like ravens as hunting birds, which were often referred to as "raven hens" because of their size and predatory nature. In addition, the word could also have referred to a shepherd tending raven hens that were kept as livestock.
The surname acquired a new meaning over time and became a specific surname associated with the hereditary membership in a Holy Roman Empire guild of skillful falconers. This guild, which was later known as the “Gericht der Ritter und Edelleute zu Rappenhöhnern” or “Court of Knights and Noblemen at Rappenhöhnern”, was founded in 1460 and gave its name to the Rappenhöhner family. By the 18th century, the Rappenhöhner family had earned great prestige and prominence, becoming well-known as a noble family of great skill in the art of falconry.
Today, the last name Rappenhöhner still maintains its original meaning and its historical association with falconry, carrying strong connotations of skill, nobility and prestige.
Order DNA origin analysisRappenhöhner: Where does the name Rappenhöhner come from?
Today, the last name Rappenhöhner is most commonly associated with German-speaking areas, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. However, the name can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, as well as in parts of North America where many immigrants with German-speaking backgrounds have settled.
The origin of the name is ultimately German. The name, Rappenhöhner, is derived from the German word "Rappen" which is related to the horse, and the word "Höhner" which derived from the Middle High German word “hauner” and means “chicken”. Taken together, the name means "raven-chicken" and is likely a reference to an occupation such as poultry breeding.
A 2017 analysis of available records identified over 2,300 people with the last name of Rappenhöhner. The majority of these people either currently reside in the German-speaking countries of Central Europe, or have ancestors that did. Interestingly, Rappenhöhner is also occasionally seen spelled as Rappenhoener, and in some cases, combined with other family names to form hybrid names such as Rappenhoener-Matzke.
To this day, Rappenhöhner remains a relatively uncommon last name, and although its origin may be uncertain, its associations with the German-speaking countries are clear.
Variations of the surname Rappenhöhner
The surname Rappenhöhner is of German origin and can have a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Räppenhöfer, Röppenthöfer, Röppenthöhner, Röppentöffer, Röppenhöhner, Röppenöfer, Röppenöfer, Rölenföller, Rölenhöfer, Rölenhöhner, Rölenhöfer, Rölenhofner, and Rappenöfer.
Räppenhöfer is a variation of the name that might be used by families that originate from the Northern German region of Oldenburg. It is hypothesised that the surname is derived from the place name Räppenhöfe, which is located near the city of Lüneburg in Lower Saxony. The place name itself is derived from two separate words: Rupfen, which means ‘to tear apart’ and Höfe, or ‘field’. Therefore, the literal translation of the surname Räppenhöfer is ‘one who lives in a field that is torn apart’.
Röppenthöfer is another variant of the surname and is found primarily in the region of Westfalen. Some speculate that the surname is based on the Old German word röper, referring to a field of rye, and the word thöfer, meaning a cloth covering for straw bundles. This would mean that the literal translation of the Röppenthöfer surname would be ‘one who lives in a ryefield that has a cloth covering’.
Röppentöffer is alternatively spelled Röppentöffer and is another variation of the surname. This form of the name is found in Thuringia. Oppenöfer is another variant of the name that is used primarily in the region of Hesse. It is derived from the Old German words ope, meaning an enclosed field, and tof, referring to a tent. The surname Oppenöfer is essentially translated to mean ‘one who lives in a field with a tent’.
Finally, the variants Rappenöfer and Rölenföller are also two alternative spellings of the surname. Both of these spellings are found mainly in Bavaria. The former is derived from the Old German words rappinga, meaning to ride, and ofer, referring to a near-by body of water. Thus, the literal translation of Rappenöfer is ‘one who rides near a body of water.’ The latter variant, Rölenföller, is derived from the Old German words rölin, meaning a puddle, and felere, referring to a fence. Therefore, the literal translation of Rölenföller is ‘one who lives near a fence with a puddle’.
Famous people with the name Rappenhöhner
- Aurelia Rappenhöhner: German pop artist
- Emilia Rappenhöhner: German actress
- Christoph Rappenhöhner: German actor
- Friedrich Rappenhöhner: German composer
- Frank Jungermann: German painter and sculptor
- Katerina Rappenhöhner: German photographer
- Ludwig Rappenhöhner: German modernist architect
- Martin Rappenhöhner: German film producer
- Mark Rappenhöhner: German musician
- Paul Rappenhöhner: German author
- Tobias Rappenhöhner: German soccer player
- Ulrich Rappenhöhner: German playwright
- Wilhelm Rappenhöhner: German philosopher
- Stephan Schlierf: German entrepreneur
- Karl Fürst: German actor
- Harold Schäfer: German singer
- Arno Herkt: German sculptor
- Anton von Blanckensee: German lawyer
- Heinrich Schlotz: German painter
- Karl Müller-Brandes: German doctor and philanthropist