Surname Rempel - Meaning and Origin

Rempel: What does the surname Rempel mean?

The last name Rempel is of Germanic origin and is derived from the name "Rampold". This is a compound name made up from two Germanic elements, "ram" meaning "raven" and "hold", meaning "brave". Together, the two elements convey the meaning of a courageous individual who is associated with the raven.

The surname Rempel is likely to have originated from the Middle High German personal name "Rampold" which referred to one who was brave and daring. The name eventually spread across Europe during the Middle Ages as families bearing the name moved from region to region.

Today, the surname Rempel is still widely found in parts of Europe as well as in the US, Canada and Australia. It has become somewhat associated with both German Mennonite and Dutch populations due to its presence in those countries for several centuries.

In terms of etymology, the last name Rempel is an example of a patronymic surnames which are derived from an ancestral surname to acknowledge a family's lineage. It can signify a specific bloodline or historical connection within a family but is still used today as an indicator of direct paternal descent. A person who bears the surname Rempel is likely a descendant of someone with the given name Rampold, and is a symbol of the strength and bravery of their ancestral lineage.

Rempel: Where does the name Rempel come from?

The last name Rempel is primarily found in Germany, Russia, the Netherlands, Canada, the United States, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. It is a relatively uncommon name, but those with it can be found in many different countries and cultures around the world.

In Germany, the name Rempel is the 47th most common last name and comes from the Germanic words "Rampen" which means to climb, and "Helm" which means helmet. This makes it an occupational last name that identified someone who was a "helmet climber," or specifically, a fireman. This occupation was common in Germany at the time the name originated.

In the Netherlands, Rempel is an uncommon but still present name. It likely originated from the Dutch word "rempel" which translates to mean a bump or obstacle.

In Russia, the Rempel name likely originated from the Old Russian "ryb" which means fish. This would make it a metonymic occupational surname for fishermen, or someone who was involved in the business of fishing.

The name Rempel can also be found in South Africa and the United Kingdom, as well as Canada and the United States. Statistics show that it is particularly common in the U.S. Midwestern region, particularly in Minnesota.

Overall, the last name Rempel is quite uncommon compared to other last names, but its presence around the world speaks to the global movement and migration of people, which have been occurring since ancient times.

Variations of the surname Rempel

The surname Rempel is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word “rampen” which means “to climb.” The name was initially given to those who did scaling of walls and towers or to collectors of taxes and tolls. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin of Rempel include Rampling, Rampley, Ramplee, Rampel, Rample, Rampell, Rampel, Rampill, Rempals, Rampl, Rampleigh, Rumpell, Rampell, Rimpel, Rompell, Rhempel, Rahmpel and Rampers.

The variants and surnames of the same origin can be further developed through the reviewing of soundex records or spelling variations from different parts of the world. For example, some people with the Rempel surname may have adopted the spelling Rampel in Europe, while others may have used the scanty spelling Rampell in America.

The development of the Rempel name may also be traced through its connection with other surnames of the same origin, such as Reimel, Reinli, Remli, Reinl, Reynhuber, Reinhuber, Renold, Remer, Rummer and Rempereder. Furthermore, some variants and related surnames may have also been adapted from other languages such as Rempila (from a Belarusian language), Remplit (from a French origin) and Rampollo (a Spanish origin).

Overall, the surname Rempel is an occupational name derived from the German word “rampen” and there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin that have developed over time with the spread of migration from its region of origin.

Famous people with the name Rempel

• Tina Rempel: Canadian politician from Ontario
• Ivan Rempel: Canadian painter from Alberta
• Laura Rempel: Canadian fashion designer living in Montreal
• Tim Rempel: Canadian hockey player from Winnipeg
• Martin Rempel: Canadian geographer and professor at University of Northern British Columbia
• Mark Rempel: Canadian physicist and professor at the University of Saskatchewan
• Katelyn Rempel: Canadian Paralympic athlete and winner of three gold medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing
• Henry Rempel: Canadian Olympic freestyle skier and medalist at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino
• Kaley Rempel: Canadian skeleton racer and medalist at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics
• Bernie Rempel: Canadian curler and two-time world champion

Other surnames

RempeRempenRempert