Surname Rappolt - Meaning and Origin
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Rappolt: What does the surname Rappolt mean?
The surname Rappolt is derived from the German and Bavarian words “Rapot” and/or “Rapult” which means “rope maker” and refers to a profession typically held by someone within that families background. This could have been someone who twisted fibers to make rope for the household or a rope maker for a larger group such as a sailing ship that needed new rope for the rigging. This profession was likely held by an ancestor of this family for many generations and through time it eventually became the last name.
In some instances, the last name Rappolt may also be derived from the old German words “rase” meaning “hound” and “wolf” meaning “wolf”. This indicates that someone within this family tree could have been a hunter or raised hounds many generations ago and this name was adopted for the entire family.
Ultimately, the surname Rappolt can refer to either a rope maker, a hound raiser or a hunter depending on the origin of the particular branch of this family. No matter which of these origins is the case, the last name Rappolt still carries the same idea of something common to the practices of the people within this family’s history.
Order DNA origin analysisRappolt: Where does the name Rappolt come from?
The last name Rappolt is thought to have originated in Germany. It is quite common in parts of Germany, especially in Bavaria, and Austria, specifically the Vienna region. Rappolt is also commonly found in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Rappolt is a variant of the name Rabolt, which is derived from the Germanic given name Rapo, meaning “warring wolf”, and is an old form of the modern German name Rabold. It is believed that the Rappolt surname was first used by a knight in Sauerland, a region of west-central Germany, during the Middle Ages.
Outside of Europe, the Rappolt surname can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. Immigrants from Europe brought the last name Rappolt to the United States around the mid-1800s. The surname can be found in the US today in Pennsylvania, New York, and California.
Rappolt is a fairly uncommon surname, however, it can be found in both Europe and the United States. As with any other surname, the prevalence of the last name Rappolt can vary from one region to another.
Variations of the surname Rappolt
The surname Rappolt has a variety of variants and spellings all of which can be traced back to a common origin. The alternate spellings of the surname are Rabehl, Rabeol, Raphel, Raphal, Rapho, Rapol, Rappahl, Rappel, Rappell, Rappeloh, Rapphell, Rappol, Rappole, and Rappoloh. In some cases, the “t” at the end of the surname may be dropped resulting in “Rappol”.
The surname is of Germanic origin and is derived from the name “Rabaldi” meaning “famous wolf”. It was likely taken from tribes of West Germanic culture believed to have descended from wolves.
Variant spellings or surnames that are similar in sound or origin are Rabold, Rabel, Rapold, Rapohl, Rapelt, Ropold, Rappel and Rabbel.
Rappolt is also related to partly overlapping names such as Rapp, Rappe, Rupp, Ruppert, Rüppel, Rippel, and Rupert.
The surname is quite common in Germany but can be found in other countries in Europe as well. The spelling has also evolved slightly over the years so current spellings may differ from those used by previous generations. Some of the modern spelling variations can be found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, France, Belgium, and even the United States and Canada.
Famous people with the name Rappolt
- Samuel Rappolt: German actor best known for roles in films like Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera), Einmal Tag und immer wieder (Once a Day and Again and Again) and Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald (Tales from the Vienna Woods).
- Elizabeth Rappolt: Australian producer and television presenter best known for hosting the popular Saturday night show “At Home with Elizabeth Rappolt” on the Nine Network.
- David Rappolt: American businessman and investor who founded MultiVest Software Corporation in 1981 and served as its president and chairman of the board through 1996.
- Leopold Rappolt: prominent Czech physician, one of the earliest advocates for birth control and a member of the Socialist International.
- Don Rappolt: well-known American sports writer and statistician who compiled statistics for professional baseball organizations.
- Karl Rappolt: Austrian mathematician and astronomer who developed innovative techniques to measure the positions of stars and other celestial bodies.
- Edith Rappolt: German textile designer who created numerous art deco-style prints that became popular in the early 20th century.
- Bernard Rappolt: French composer and conductor who gained fame for his operas and ballets, including Les Eques de la Nuit.
- Emil Rappolt: American railroad engineer and Civil War veteran who served as chief engineer on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
- Karen Rappolt: American artist and silversmith whose jewelry and sculptures have been featured in numerous galleries and museums.