Surname Kappus - Meaning and Origin
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Kappus: What does the surname Kappus mean?
The surname Kappus is of German (Deutsch) origin and is derived from the German word “Kappe” meaning “cap”. It is believed to have been given to people who wore various types of caps as part of their profession, and is most likely an occupational surname. Over the centuries, the surname evolved from the Middle High German word “kapfen” to its current spelling, Kappus.
The Kappus surname is widespread throughout German-speaking regions, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Records of those with the Kappus surname date back as far as the early 13th century, and the first recorded reference was Johannes Kappus who lived in the 11th century in the Rhineland.
Today, Kappus is an extremely common German surname and may be found in other countries such as the United States. There are several German family crests associated with the surname, such as the Kappus family crest located in Bavaria, Germany, and Pommorland, Germany. It features a single horn in the center, which could symbolize strength and courage.
Kappus is a unique German surname with a long and interesting history. It is a reminder of a trade or profession and may represent a unique part of one's heritage and identity.
Order DNA origin analysisKappus: Where does the name Kappus come from?
The last name Kappus is not an incredibly common surname today, but it does show up in certain parts of the world. It appears to be most prevalent within the United States and Germany.
In the US, Kappus is concentrated in Pennsylvania, where it ranks as the 421st most common surname. The majority of Kappuses in the US appear to live in the Lehigh Valley, which is a heavily populated region of eastern Pennsylvania.
Kappus is also prevalent in Germany, where it ranks as the 2,562nd most common surname according to Germany's Office of Statistics. The surname is not present in towns with high populations, but it is more common in rural areas such as central and southern Bavaria, the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Saxony-Anhalt.
It is important to note that the surname Kappus is not particularly common in either the US or Germany. However, it is still largely present in certain areas, and those with the surname can trace their origins to these two countries.
Variations of the surname Kappus
Kappus is a German surname derived from the Middle High German “kapus” meaning “priest” or "chaplain". The primary spelling of the surname is Kappus. Variants of the surname include Kapus, Kapuss, Kapouse, Kappais, Kapusse, Kappese, Kapussa, Kappasse, Kappusse, Kappousse, Kapusie, Kapousse, Keppus, Keppuss, Kippus, Kippuss, Kipus, Kipuss, and Kuppus. Surnames related to Kappus include Kauppus, Kaupuss, Kaepus, Kappuhs, Kapuschinski, Copus, Copuss, Koppus, Koppuss, and Koppous.
Kappus has a central German and East Prussian origin. It became associated with the area of Pomerania in the West Prussian region prior to the 18th century. The earliest documented record of the name appears in Lübz, Mecklenburg in 1566. This family migrated to Brandenburg in 1608. Today, Kappus is most prevalent in Brandenburg and Berlin, Germany.
The Kappus family is a member of the Unverzagt Zunft, or Guild of German Freemen. This guild is a network of thousands of families of Frisian origin who are believed to have migrated to Central Germany in the Middle Ages. The Kappus family crest is the symbol of a fish. The nickname for the Kappus family is "Fischler", which is derived from the German word for “fisherman”.
Kappus is not a common surname in the United States. However, the surname can be found in some parts of Pennsylvania, which was originally settled by German immigrants in the 1600s. Those of the Kappus surname are part of a proud German heritage that carries many centuries of traditions through to the present day.
Famous people with the name Kappus
- Robert Kappus: professor of journalism and public policy at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.
- Richard Kappus: former Chairman and CEO of the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.
- David Kappus: former professional basketball player and current Special Advisor to the Commissioner of the NBA.
- Wilhelm Kappus: German soldier and famous recipient of a well-known poem from the renowned poet Rainer Maria Rilke.
- Werner Kappus: prominent German lawyer and President of the German Foundation for Custody of Minors.
- Robert Kappus III: a renowned American lawyer, lobbyist and public policy advocate.
- Norbert Kappus: Austrian singer who represented Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1986.
- F. Edward Kappus: prominent European Anti-trust lawyer and former partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
- Rainer Kappus: German chemist whose research focused on the development of chemotherapy agents for cancer.
- Thomas Kappus: American scientist and Director of the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory at the University of Georgia.