Surname Rappalie - Meaning and Origin

Rappalie: What does the surname Rappalie mean?

The last name Rappalie is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “rapfen” which refers to a kind of fish. From this word “Rapfen”, a pet form “Rappel” was created, which is the origin of the surname Rappalie. The first known recording of this name was in 1298, when a certain Henricus Zacharias vom Rapppal was mentioned in a document in the city archives of Berlin.

Throughout history, individuals with this last name have been prominent in various professions and trades. Its earliest bearers were found to be fishermen, which was an occupation deeply rooted in the old Germanic culture. Later, many became tradesmen, craftsmen, artisans and small landowners, with many towns around Germany taking strong pride in the Rappalies that resided in them.

In modern times, this name is still prominent around the world, especially in Germany. The meaning of the surname Rappalie is a reminder of the culture that shaped and nourished its roots: a deep appreciation of the bounty of the sea and the drive to work hard for a better life. From its beginnings to present, the last name Rappalie is a proud reminder of German heritage.

Rappalie: Where does the name Rappalie come from?

The last name Rappalie is most commonly found in Germany. It is a surname associated with German ancestry, and is believed to originate from southern Germany in the 16th Century, when many Rappalie families moved from Austria to Germany to start a new life in the area now known as Bavaria.

The Rappalie last name is not typical in the United States, however it is found in some German-American communities. It can be seen in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin among others.

The last name is also found in other parts of Europe, such as France, Poland, Switzerland, Austria and Romania.

Rappalie is quite rare, with only a few hundred people worldwide currently bearing the name. Despite this, people bearing the Rappalie surname are highly sought after in genealogical research, as it can offer great insight into the lives of many generations of a family and their ancestors.

Therefore, the last name Rappalie can be found today in Germany and other European countries, as well as many historic German American communities in the United States.

Variations of the surname Rappalie

Rappalie is a surname of French origin. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include: Rappailli, Rappally, Rappaleau, Rappaillot, Rappelie, Rapaille, Rapaillé, Rapaillee, Rappaillot, Rappailly, Rappaillé, Rapalie, Rapelleur, Rapillier, Rapilly, and Rappelye.

The Rappalie surname can be traced back to the medieval era, when the name was used in France to refer to an inhabitant of Rapaillé, a village in the Pays de Caux region of Normandy. The variant spellings of Rappalie likely developed due to the use of multiple languages, dialects, and spelling conventions in France.

Rappalli is an older spelling of the Rappalie surname, suggesting a likely origin of the surname from the French word rapail, which means bob-tailed. This suggests that the surname Rappalie may have first been a nickname for someone with a peculiarly short haircut.

Rapaille is a variant spelling of the Rappalie surname, and likely originates from an old French word meaning a flock or herd of animals. This suggests that the surname Rappalie may have originally been a nickname for a person who owned a herd of animals.

Rappaillot is a variant spelling of the Rappalie surname, and likely originates from an old French phrase meaning "to twist or coil." This suggests that the surname Rappalie may have once referred to a person who had a habit of twirling objects, like hair or rope.

The etymology of the surname Rappelye is unclear, though it is likely derived from the Germanic word rapal, which means to explain. This suggests that the surname Rappelye may have once referred to someone who was particularly articulate.

Overall, the many variants and spellings of the same origin for the surname Rappalie demonstrate the complexity and richness of France's linguistic heritage.

Famous people with the name Rappalie

• Eva Rappaport: American Holocaust survivor and author of the book Behind the Cloud.
• Alexander Rappaport: American businessman and philanthropist, founder of the Jewish Glusband Association.
• Jamie Rappaport Clark: American environmentalist and Executive Vice President of the National Wildlife Federation.
• Genevieve Rappaport: American actress, best known for roles in films such as “Gone in 60 Seconds” and “Short Circuit”.
• Florence Rappaport: American actress, known for her roles in films such as “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”.
• Lewis Rappaport: American basketball player drafted in 1976 by the Philadelphia 76ers.
• Joseph Rappaport: American lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• Jonathan Rappaport: American musician and singer-songwriter, known for his releases on Bruised Fruit Records.
• Dolores Rappaport: American playwright and director, a core member of the Silver Lake Theater Company.
• Robert Rappaport: American medical doctor and professor, director of the Konstanz Institute for Neuroscience Research.

Other surnames

RappaleeRappalje