Surname Rapold - Meaning and Origin

Rapold: What does the surname Rapold mean?

The last name Rapold is of Swiss-German origin. It can be traced back to the German word "Rapolt", meaning "strong ruler". This name is derived from the Middle High German "rappolt" meaning "ruler, protector" and is a form ofRodigast, an Old Germanic personal name of uncertain origin.

The Rapold surname is believed to be derived from the village of Rapolturn (now Räpolturn, Switzerland). Though the history of the Rapold family is unknown, records from 1297 and 1314 show a man with the Rapolturn name as a witness in the church books of St. Gotthard’s church in Wallis (Valais, Switzerland).

The descendants of the Rapolds in Switzerland are thought to have come from two lines, one originating in Thurgau and the other in "Uri"- the northern outskirts of the Alps. It is believed that they adopted the Rapold surname due to their occupation as mountain guides.

The Rapold surname is quite rare. There are only a few Rapolds living in Switzerland today, and the surname can be found in other parts of the world, such as the United States and England. The Rapold name is a reminder of the daring and resourcefulness of a hardy mountain people, and is a testament to the power of a strong ruler.

Rapold: Where does the name Rapold come from?

Rapold is a surname of Germanic origin, believed to have originated from two elements: "hrope" meaning rope and "walt" meaning ruler. It is derived from the Old German word “hropwalt”, which is translated as "power to bind". It refers to someone in a position of authority.

The Rapold surname has spread over the centuries, and can now be found all over the world. Countries with the highest population of Rapolds are Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. In Germany alone, there are an estimated 2,250 people with the surname Rapold. This surname is commonly found in the area of Bavaria, Hesse, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Sachsen, where the majority of the population dates back to the early 18th century.

The surname has also made its way to the United States. According to the 2000 United States Census, the surname is ranked 12,097nd, with about 2118 people in the United States bearing the surname. Additionally, in the United Kingdom, the surname is ranked 6,222nd, with an estimated 222 people having this surname. It is also found in Canada, Australia, and other parts of Europe.

Overall, the Rapold surname is not very common (it falls somewhere in the middle of the pack), but it is found in many parts of the world. It has a long history, tracing its roots back to its Germanic origins in the early 18th century.

Variations of the surname Rapold

Rapold is a surname of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "ralt" meaning "one who speaks with authority".

Variants and other spellings of Rapold include: Rapelt, Rapps, Rappold, Rapola, Rapple, Rapol, Rapolla, Rappolli, Rapoldi, Rapolle, and Rapollini.

Rappold is also a common variant of Rapold and is found both as a given name and as a surname. Variants and other spellings of Rappold include: Rappolt, Rappla, Rappele, Rappello, Rappolo, Rapolo, Rappoll, Rappolls, Rappolli, Rappolle, Rapollela, and Rappollola.

Surnames that stem from the same origin include: Rapple, Ruppelt, Rapla, Ruppell, Rappoll, Raplo, Ruppel, and Ruppolo. These surnames all derive from the Middle High German word "ralt", which translates to one who speaks with authority.

These surnames are commonly found throughout Germany and Switzerland and are also prevalent in various other European countries, such as France, Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Furthermore, these surnames have also spread to other countries such as Canada, the United States, South America, and in some cases, even Australia.

The Rapold surname is most widespread in the German-speaking countries and is most commonly found in the southwestern German states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hesse. In these states, the surname is primarily found in small villages and towns, though it does appear in larger cities as well.

Overall, the surname Rapold has many variants, spellings, and related surnames which all stem from the Middle High German word "ralt" meaning "one who speaks with authority".

Famous people with the name Rapold

• Fabienna Rapold: Swiss ski racer
• Dean Rapold: American actor
• Heike Rapold: German TV presenter
• Herma Rapold: Austrian actress
• Philip Rapold: Austrian painter
• Arnold Rapold: Swiss sailor
• Antón Rapold: Swiss footballer
• Armando Rapold: Swiss footballer
• Sanford Rapold: American actor
• Trudi Rapold: Swiss actress

Other surnames

Rapolder