Surname Riepling - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Riepling: What does the surname Riepling mean?
The last name Riepling is believed to originate from the Germanic word rippen, which means “furrow.” This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name were farmers, cultivating the land and creating the plough furrows associated with crops. The name is most prevalent in Germany, with a strong presence also in Austria and Switzerland. It is commonly found among emigrants to the US and other countries around the world.
The roots of the name go back many centuries to the ancient region of Saxony. The name is derived from the word Rippen, suggesting its origin as an occupational name for a farmer who ploughed furrows in the ground or took care of livestock. It is quite possible that over time, the spelling of Riepling evolved and became Anglicised. The name could also have associations with a topographical location, for example, the ‘riple’, a small stream or tributary.
The Riepling coat of arms is a shield depicting three white fishes on a black background. This could indicate that the original bearer of the name was a fisherman, who was later associated with farming. Alternatively, it could signify the twists and turns of the stream or river associated with the topographical area where the bearer lived.
Today, the name Riepling is still associated with farming and livestock rearing, although it is also found among people from different occupations and backgrounds. Those who bear the name are proud of its history and take great pride in its roots.
Order DNA origin analysisRiepling: Where does the name Riepling come from?
The surname Riepling is commonly found in Germany, throughout Europe, and in the United States. It is assumed the majority of Rieplings living today are descended from a common ancestor who originally arrived in Germany centuries ago.
In the United States, it is most frequently found in Pennsylvania, home to the largest number of Rieplings. In fact, the name Riepling first appears in American records in 1735, when two brothers named Riepling settled in the area. During the 19th century, a wave of immigrants from Germany brought many more branches of the Riepling family to America.
Rieplings have spread to other parts of the United States as well. Today, more Rieplings are found in the Midwestern states, especially Ohio and Illinois. It is also fairly common in California, and smaller numbers of Rieplings can be found in Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and New York.
In Germany, most Rieplings come from parts of Bavaria, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg. Smaller numbers are found in the states of Hamburg and Lower Saxony.
Interestingly, the surname Riepling also shows up in Australia now and then, although it is likely these Rieplings descended from American immigrants rather than from Germany. There have also been cases of Rieplings in South Africa, likely a result of German immigrants during the early 20th century.
Overall, while the prevalence of the surname Riepling depends on the region, its origins remain inextricably linked with German immigrants.
Variations of the surname Riepling
The surname Riepling can be spelled and pronounced in multiple ways, and it also has numerous variants. The most common ways to spell and pronounce it are Riepling, Reeple, Reepel, Reeple, Riepel, and Rieple. Other spellings and variants include: Reepening, Rheeple, Reepelen, Reipel, Rehepeling, Riepley, Reipeling, Riepelen, and Reibling.
The surname can also be used as a last name or first name, depending on the area where it is used. In Dutch-influenced areas in the United States, Riepling is often used as a first name, while in Germanic areas it tends to be used as a surname.
Other related surnames include Reapling, Reeply, Reppling, and Rippling. As the surname has been around for centuries, many derivatives may have been created over the years.
Riepling is believed to have been derived from the Germanic elements “riepen” or “riepenen”, which meant “grab”, “hold” or “grip”. It is likely that all of these spellings and variants of the surname share the same origin.
The surname is not exclusive to one locality, nor is it especially popular in one single region. It is widely distributed in Europe, in North America, and in other parts of the world.
Overall, the surname Riepling can have multiple spellings, variants, and derivatives, reflecting its evolution over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Riepling
- Erich Rieping: German chemist who developed synthetic rubber and standardised the process of purifying benzene.
- Herbert Rieping: German pianist, conductor and composer of Romantic music.
- Fritz Riepling: German architect and interior designer who worked for the imperial court of Germany from the 1870s to the early 20th century.
- Georg Riepling: Austrian painter who mainly worked in the Romantic period, painting landscapes and cityscapes.
- Friedrich Wilhelm Riepling: German painter of the Expressionism movement of the 20th century.
- Julius Riepling: Important Austrian painter of the Vienna Secession.
- Hans Riepling: German art historian, curator and collector who wrote one of the earliest texts about modern art, titled 'Die Kunst des 20. Jahrhunderts'.
- Richard Rieping: German zoologist and parasite specialist.
- Huguette Riepling: French soprano opera singer who mainly performed coloratura roles.
- Art Rieping: American photographer and creator of the photographic series 'My American Dream'.