Surname Käppeler - Meaning and Origin
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Käppeler: What does the surname Käppeler mean?
The last name Käppeler is derived from a German term meaning "Cap Maker". This reflects a person's occupation and can be traced back to the periods of medieval Germany and Switzerland. It likely originates from a profession within the guild system, as someone skilled in the craft of making hats.
The spelling of the name has changed significantly over time and place, with variants such as Kappeller, Kappeler, Kaeppeler, Koeppeller and Keppeler. These surnames were more commonly found in the German-speaking parts of Europe including parts of Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Belgium.
When immigrants bearing the name arrived in America, their name was anglicized to reflect the modern pronunciation and the spelling modified to Kaeppeler or Kaeppler.
The name Käppeler is currently found in many countries around the world due to international migration. As one of the many common German surnames, it is associated with the grouping of people known as 'Germans' who have historically been associated with the region of the Western European countries while also being prominent within the global diaspora.
Käppeler is still a popular surname in modern day, indicating a long family history to a certain geographic region. It can be associated with both a person’s geographic heritage and occupational distinction, offering an insight into a person’s family background and the line of work that many of their ancestors were employed in.
Order DNA origin analysisKäppeler: Where does the name Käppeler come from?
Käppeler is a German surname originating in an area known today as Westfalen. According to a 2017 survey, Käppeler is the 21,137th most common name in Germany, with approximately 6,082 people bearing the surname in that country.
In North America, Käppeler is uncommon: Only 975 people bear the name in the United States and 315 in Canada. The largest number of people of this surname can be found in Germany, followed by the United States, Switzerland, France, Portugal, and Canada in that order.
The last name Käppeler is primarily associated with Protestant Christian denominations in areas with dialects of Low German as the primary language. However, Käppeler is also present as a surname in various branches of Judaism, especially among individuals of Middle Eastern or North African descent.
In Westfalen, areas with Käppeler include Dortmund, Bielefeld, and the Bergisches Land. In other places, including North America, Käppeler is likely to be a regional name associated with certain rural locations. However, in more urban areas, the surname is relatively rare.
Overall, the surname Käppeler is mostly concentrated in Germany and North America. These two regions have the most populations of individuals with the last name.
Variations of the surname Käppeler
The surname Käppeler is derived from the Old High German word “kappal,” which means a “hat maker.” It is likely that the hat makers were among the few who were able to pass on the surname in Medieval times.
The variants of the surname Käppeler include Kappeller, Kapplerer, Kapeller, Kapellner, Kapellen, Kappeller, Kappeler, Kappelmann, Kappelmann, Kappeln, Kappelmann, Kappler, Kapplin, and Krapelin.
The spellings of Käppeler range from Kappeler and Kapplerer to Kapeler and Kapellen. Other spellings, such as Käppler, Kappelmann, and Kappeln, are also used.
Surnames of similar origins include Krapf, Kotzmann, Kelpin, Keller, Kappen, and Koepf. These surname variants have either originated from alternative spellings of the original surname or through the adoption of similar sounding names.
Käppeler is not a particularly common name in Germany, and family research may be difficult. The name tends to be concentrated in the south of Germany, particularly Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria. There is a significant enclave of the name in the United States, mostly in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Illinois, dating back to the 19th century.
Famous people with the name Käppeler
- Sir Simon Käppeler, a British composer and conductor
- Hans Käppeler, a German neuroscientist
- Martina Käppeler, a German nutritionist
- Johannes Käppeler, a German organist
- Walter Käppeler, a German former racing cyclist
- Gerhard Käppeler, a German politician
- Jochen Käppeler, a German automotive executive
- Konrad Käppeler, a German contemporary painter
- Franz Käppeler, a German composer
- Hans-Ulrich Käppeler, a German professor of nuclear physics
- Gerd Käppeler, a German former footballer
- Jens Käppeler, a German composer
- Alexander Käppeler, a German actor
- Hermann Käppeler, a German former footballer