Surname Repphun - Meaning and Origin
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Repphun: What does the surname Repphun mean?
The last name Repphun is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the Old German personal name "Rapo", which in turn was derived from the same root word as the modern English word "rave". The name roughly translates to mean "loud and powerful voice". Historically, the name is believed to have originated from the Franconian region of Germany, where it was likely first held by someone of a noble or distinguished profession.
The surname has been a popular name in Germany for centuries, as evidenced by the frequency of its occurrence in records from the Middle Ages onwards. It is likely that the name was variously adopted by many different families over the years, and that affects its exact meaning.
The name Repphun is listed around the world in various contexts, with individuals of the name being found in places as diverse as Russia, the United States, Canada, and some parts of South America. It is possible, given its Germanic origins, that the name is Jewish in origin as well, although this is not definitively proven.
For those bearing the surname Repphun, the name may carry implicit meaning in terms of nobility, standing, honor, and distinction. It may also have implications of power and influence, hinting at the fact that its early bearers were likely persons of great influence and standing in their respective communities.
Order DNA origin analysisRepphun: Where does the name Repphun come from?
The last name Repphun is most commonly found in Germany. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "rap" meaning "raven". It was first documented in 1383, when a member of the Repphun family named Claus Repphund served as a bailiff in Eisbergen.
The names Repphun and Repphund are found throughout Germany with concentrations in the western states of North Rhein-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Rhineland-Palatinate. In 2003, the name Repphun or Repphund appeared on over 7,000 records in Germany. It is also common in Austria and Luxembourg.
The last name is also found in the United States, with a reported 1,250 individuals bearing the name in the 2000 U.S. Census. The largest concentration of Repphuns was in the state of Minnesota. Smaller numbers are scattered around the United States in California, Wisconsin, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Florida.
The Repphun name is quite rare and is not found in large numbers. It is an interesting name to trace, however, as it is a reminder of a long family line stretching back hundreds of years.
Variations of the surname Repphun
The surname Repphun has two distinct variations in both spelling and pronunciation. Repphun is the original version of the name, with the first known mention of the surname coming from Bavaria in the 16th century. Over time, the surname evolved to become Rieppen, with the most likely pronunciation being “REE-pen”. Both variants of the name share the same German origin, deriving from the Middle High German word “rippe” which refers to a curved or arched beam.
The surname Rieppen has an alternate spelling of Riepon, which may be used in documents or records where the original form of the name was not known. This spelling is often encountered in the United States. As to be expected, the surname Repphun is highly concentrated in Bavaria, as well as in some other areas in Central and Eastern Europe. That being said, Repphun can be found throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In addition to the two main spellings, Repphun and Rieppen, there are many different spellings and surnames with the same origin. Some of these names include Rephun, Riepfen, Rippen, Rippon, Repon, Repin, Reiben, Reifen, Repper, and Reppin. There are likely many other spelling variants and surnames given the German origin, however these are the more common forms.
Famous people with the name Repphun
- Eric Repphun: Eric is a French-American entrepreneur, artist, and investor. He is the founder of French fashion label Invesca, and he is also involved with the venture capital firm Equis Investments.
- Will Repphun: Will is an American film producer, with credits on films such as Super 8 and Battleship.
- Abim Repphun: Abim is a British-Israeli designer and activist. He has designed several handbags and accessories for luxury brands such as Tom Ford and Giorgio Armani.
- Robert Repphun: Robert is an Austrian journalist and novelist. He is the author of several novels, such as Gefahrstoff, which has been published in several languages.
- Alexandra Repphun: Alexandra is an American visual artist and photographer. She is best known for her series #SeeingHer, which features portraits of women in various contexts.
- Zane Repphun: Zane is an American portrait painter and musician. He has held numerous art shows across the United States and his work is held in numerous public collections.
- Leo Repphun: Leo is an Australian actor, writer, and director. He is best known for his roles in the TV series The Hollowmen and Silver Linings.
- Inge Repphun: Inge is a German actress and screenwriter. She is most known for her roles in films such as The Reader, Hanna, and Rembrandt.