Surname Kaplan - Meaning and Origin

My Familial Journey with iGENEA: An In-depth Revelation about the Kaplan Heirloom

The DNA test I undertook at iGENEA was a journey to ancestral roots that revealed a lot about my family name; Kaplan. A comprehensive analysis of the surname Kaplan, originating from Eastern Europe, carried me deep into a tale of history, culture, and tradition.

T. Kaplan

Kaplan: What does the surname Kaplan mean?

Kaplan is a surname of multiple origins. In Turkish, "kaplan" translates to "tiger". However, Kaplan is also a common Jewish surname, derived from Hebrew origins. It is an occupational name, where "kaplan" translates to "chaplain", a professional religious leader in a Christian context. When Jewish or Yiddish speakers migrated to countries where Yiddish was not spoken, the surname Kaplan would have been directly translated from its original Yiddish or Hebrew form into the local language, hence creating local variations. It is important to note that while many Jewish surnames are of occupational origin, the occupations referred to are often those of the patriarch of the family when surnames were first required for taxation purposes in the late Middle Ages. Despite its origins, today the surname Kaplan can be found amongst individuals of various religious and ethnic backgrounds, due to intermarriage, conversion, or other reasons.

Kaplan: Where does the name Kaplan come from?

The surname Kaplan is of Jewish Ashkenazic origin, which is derived from "kohen," the hereditary name for a Jewish priest, and the Yiddish word "kaplan," which means chaplain. This surname is attributed to individuals whose ancestors were members of the Jewish priesthood. It is likely that those with the Kaplan surname belonged to families whose ancestors had religious responsibilities in synagogues.

Despite its Jewish roots, the name Kaplan is also common in German-speaking countries. It is important to clarify that having this surname does not automatically imply Jewish ancestry due to the widespread of the surname across various cultures.

Today, the surname Kaplan is prevalent in countries such as the United States, Turkey, and Israel. In the United States, it is particularly common among Ashkenazic Jewish immigrant communities. In Turkey, the surname is frequently associated with individuals of Crimean Tatar ancestry. In Israel, it is common among Jews who migrated from Europe and other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Kaplan

The Kaplan surname, derived from Hebrew, has strong Jewish roots. The name Kaplan means "priest" in Old German and Hebrew. Kaplan is typically a name of Ashkenazi Jewish origin and was often given to descendants of Kohanim, indicating a priestly lineage.

Variations and alternate spellings can depend on regionalpronunciations and transliterations of the original name. Here are some forms: Caplan, Kaplansky, Kaplun, Capellin, Caplin, Kepelman, Kappel, Koppel, and Kepel.

In Ashkenazic Jewish communities, it was common to include descriptive terms in surnames which would suggest occupation, so the term Kaplan often implied a position of leadership or serviсе in the Jewish community. Kaplan could also be a simplified form of a more complex surname such as Kaplinski or Kaplansky.

Please note, none of these alternate names, forms, or spellings imply any change in the original meaning of the name Kaplan.

Remember that surnames can vary greatly due to translation, transcription, and regional variations, so it is possible that there may be other spellings or forms not included here.

Famous people with the name Kaplan

• Gabe Kaplan: An American comedian, actor, and professional poker player who starred in the sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter".
• Kivanc Tatlitug: A former Turkish model and actor, who used the name Mehmet Kaplan in a TV series.
• Justin Kaplan: An American writer and editor.
• Robert S. Kaplan: President and CEO of Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
• Samuil Kaplan: A Russian engineer.
• Rebecca Kaplan: An American politician serving on the Oakland City Council.
• Aryeh Kaplan: An American Orthodox rabbi and author.
• Dave Kaplan: Sports director for WGN Radio in Chicago.
• Todd Kaplan: Vice President of Marketing at PepsiCo.
• Fred Kaplan: An American author and journalist.
• Jonathan Kaplan: A South African Film Director and Producer.
• Marty Kaplan: An American journalist, commentator, professor.
• Kelsey Kaplan: A fashion blogger and digital marketer.
• Eddie Kaplan: A former professional American football player.
• Wendy Kaplan: An American curator at Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
• Alfred Kaplan: An American lawyer and politician.
• Dusko K. Kaplan: A Serbian businessman and entrepreneur.

Other surnames

KaplanerKaplanskiKaplansky