Surname Rapsilber - Meaning and Origin
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Rapsilber: What does the surname Rapsilber mean?
The last name Rapsilber is mainly found in Germany and is of German origin. It is thought to derive from the Old German given name ‘Rapiz’, which was originally an early medieval personal name. It is also derived from ‘Rapise’, which is an occupational name for someone who played or danced the 'Räps', which is a type of a ritual dance associated with carnivals, religious festivals and public celebrations.
The German surname Rapsilber translates to mean “dancer of the Räps”. It is thought to be a nickname, derived from the custom to give dance performers a sign of recognition and appreciation by calling them by the name of their dance. The name Rapsilber, then, has likely been given to one particularly good at the “Räps” dance.
Other surnames which originate from the Old German given name ‘Rapiz’ include Rapp, Rappersberger, Raps, Rappe, Rapps, Rapsopp, Weisser, and Rehberger. Similarly, nicknames which tell of the dancer’s skill at the Räps dance include Rapssilber, Rapchen, Rapunzel, and Rappensteller. All of these surnames or nicknames are variations of the same given name, and all signify a particular individual, usually a male, known for their skill in dance, mainly the Räps dance.
The surname Rapsilber and its variants give us a unique insight into traditions from medieval Germany. The name grows in popularity as more and more people learn more about their ancestry. As such, it has become a badge of honour for several families, some of whom are aware of the precise details behind its origin.
Order DNA origin analysisRapsilber: Where does the name Rapsilber come from?
The last name Rapsilber is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. The name is believed to have first originated in Bavaria, where records suggest it first appeared as early as the 13th century. However, it has also become increasingly common in other parts of the world due to emigration from Germany and Austria.
The name itself is of German origin and is derived from the Old German word “Rapsilion” meaning “rapacious”. It is believed to have been first given as a nickname to someone who was particularly eager or greedy. Over time, it became a surname, which was then passed down through the generations.
Rapsilber is still quite a common surname in Germany and Austria, where it is particularly found in the larger cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Vienna. It has also spread to other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Over the years, due to emigration, the name is now often found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, it is particularly common in states such as California and New York.
Rapsilber is still a relatively uncommon surname outside of Europe and North America, but it can still be found in a few other places around the world. For example, it is not unheard of to see the surname in India and other parts of South and East Asia.
Variations of the surname Rapsilber
The surname Rapsilber can have various other spellings and variants depending on the region or country of origin. Its variants include Rapzilber, Rapselber, Rapsilber, Rapzelber, Rapselberg, Rapsilberg, Rapzilberg, Rappselberg, Rappselber, Rappzelber, Rappselberg, Rappzilberg and Rappzilber.
In Germany, the most common alternate spellings of Rapsilber are Rapselber and Rappselber. The English alternate spelling is Rapsilber, while Rapzilber is more common in the United States.
In Jewish families, the surname is spelled Rapselberg, Rapsilberg, Rapzilberg, or Rappselberg. These spellings may or may not have a double “p”. A variant of the spelling is Rappzelber, which originated in Bavaria.
Many European surnames have deep cultural roots and their spelling can change regionally or over time. As these variations in spelling reflect, “Rapsilber” is an ancient surname and has evolved with the many cultures and languages throughout history.
Famous people with the name Rapsilber
- Werner Rapsilber: German biochemist and protein-chemist specialized in studying cell biology.
- David Rapsilber: German cell biologist specializing in the structural analysis of proteins in cells.
- Jupp Rapsilber: German historian and author, his work has appeared in Der Spiegel and other publications.
- Paul Rapsilber: Austrian singer, songwriter and producer.
- Markus Rapsilber: German bass player for the industrial metal band OOMPH!.
- Lutz Rapsilber: German psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and lecturer.
- Norbert Rapsilber: German photographer and artist.
- Georg Rapsilber: German engineer and politician in Saxony-Anhalt.
- Adolf Rapsilber: Austrian harpsichord maker of the 17th century.
- Joseph Rapsilber: Austrian composer, oboist and Kapellmeister.