Surname Rappalje - Meaning and Origin

Rappalje: What does the surname Rappalje mean?

The surname Rappalje is of Belgian origin and it is believed to be derived from the personal name "Rapallino". The surname may have occupational roots, as it was common during the Middle Ages for surnames to be based on one's job or trade. It is also said to be a habitational name from various places in Belgium and Northern France. However, the exact meaning and origin are not fully documented or clear. The Rappalje family were early settlers in New Amsterdam (now New York City) in the United States, making the name prevalent in areas of New York.

Rappalje: Where does the name Rappalje come from?

The last name Rappalje is commonly found today in countries primarily within Europe, North America and Australia. In Europe, the highest concentration of the Rappalje last name is found in The Netherlands; with other notable concentrations in Switzerland, France and Germany. In North America, the Rappalje name is most often found in the United States and Canada, with higher concentrations in particular geographic regions of both countries. For example, in the US, the name is most frequently found in New York and New Jersey, while in Canada the states of Ontario and Quebec have the highest concentrations. In Australia, the Rappalje name is primarily found in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

Although the Rappalje surname is of Dutch origin, those descended from the original progenitor of the name can trace their roots back to the early 16th century, when it is believed that the ancestor of the Rappalje family migrated from the Netherlands to Germany and then subsequently spread to Switzerland, France, North America, Australia and beyond. Even today, there are branches of the Rappalje family living in many of these countries. The Rappalje last name is an uncommon one, but it is certainly still present in today's society.

Variations of the surname Rappalje

Rappalje is a surname of Dutch origin, and its variants and spellings include Rappal, Rapple, Rappele, Rappleigh, Rappleye, Rappley, Rappeljee, Rappelje, Rappelig, Rappelige, Rappleygh, and Rappelye. These surnames all have similar meaning and origin. According to family history research, the original surname Rappalje is derived from the Dutch word "rapalje," which is thought to originate from the Dutch verb "rapen" which means "to take (away)." This suggests that the surname Rappalje itself refers to someone who would take away goods or materials, likely to do with trading or shipping.

The relationship between the various spellings of Rappalje is unclear, as it is thought that the various spellings may have developed independent of one another. However, it is likely that they all stem from the same root family, with the name Rappalje appearing among some of the earliest recorded records of families in the Dutch realm.

As with many families throughout Europe, the surname Rappalje has since been spread to other countries, particularly by immigrants and emigrants, meaning that variations of the surname, such as Rapple and Rappeljee, can be found in America, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world. Regardless of the location, the surname Rappalje suggests a family with Dutch roots, who likely had an entrepreneurial nature, made a living through trading or shipping, and had the courage to explore beyond their homeland.

Famous people with the name Rappalje

• Samson Cornelius Rappalje: a Dutch soldier who fought during the American Revolution.
• Johannis Rapalje: the first of the family to emigrate to the United States in the 1600s.
• Peter D. Rapalje: an American businessman and civic leader who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• John J. Rapalje: a United States Representative from New York from 1839 to 1845.
• Anthony Rapalje: a leading member of the Dutch Reformed Church in New York City in the late 19th century.
• Sarah Rappaport: a Jewish-American theologian, writer, and professor.
• Agnes Rappalje: a sculptor and printmaker whose work was featured in the National Portrait Gallery and MoMA.
• Mary Rappalje: an artist and printmaker who co-founded the Woodstock School of Art.
• Daniel B. Rappalje: an American architect best known for his commercial and residential buildings in Brooklyn.
• Jack E. Rappalje: a United States Army Major General who served during World War II and the Korean War.

Other surnames

RappaleeRappalie