Surname Rapelje - Meaning and Origin

Rapelje: What does the surname Rapelje mean?

The Rapelje surname is derived from the Dutch name Rapelje (Rappelije) which was derived from a French occupational name. Specifically, it comes from form the Old French word rapeler, meaning "to call back". The French rapeler could also mean to summon back to military duty. The surname could have come from an ancestor who was responsible for rallying troops for battle.

Rapelje is an example of an occupational surname, which means that it is derived from a person's job or occupation. In the case of the Rapeljes, it is derived form their ancestor's responsibility for calling troops to battle or to serve in the military.

The Rapelje surname has been found in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, with some occurrences in Germany, England, and other parts of the world. In the United States, people with the surname Rapelje are mostly descended from French, Dutch, and Belgian immigrants.

Today, the Rapelje surname is most commonly associated with the United States, where families with the name have been living for several centuries. It is still most common in the US, though the name is also found in other parts of the world.

Rapelje: Where does the name Rapelje come from?

The last name Rapelje is most commonly found today in the Netherlands. In the 19th century, this last name was most common in the Dutch province of North Holland but it can also be found in other parts of the Netherlands, including Friesland, Overijssel, and Gelderland.

It is speculated that the Rapelje family originated from the small Dutch village of Rapelje in the municipality of Grosthuizen. Records from the Dutch Reformed Church show that some members of this family moved to other parts of the Netherlands during the 18th century and into the 19th century.

Today, the Rapelje family can be found in other parts of Europe such as Germany, Sweden, and France. The family is also present in the United States. Records show that the first of the Rapelje family members to come to the US arrived in 1623 in New York. They originally settled in what was then called New Amsterdam until 1664 when the British conquered it and re-named it New York.

Rapelje is an uncommon name today, but it is still in use in many places around the world. It is a reminder of the rich history of the Dutch people and of a time when the Rapelje family was more visible and more influential. It may not be as prominent today as it once was, but the legacy of this name lives on through many generations.

Variations of the surname Rapelje

The Rapelje surname can take many different forms with multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the surname may include Rapel, Rapelle, Rapelie, Rapalya, Rapkin, Rapala, Rabel, Rabelieu, and Rableau. Other surnames with a similar or identical origin include Raplee, Raplie, Rapple, and Rapslie.

Variations of Rapelje may also include variants such as Rapple, Rappel, Raplie, Rapsley, and Raplee. Spellings of the surname can also take on multiple forms such as Rapla, Rapela, and Rapelja. In addition, many immigrants to North America changed their surname to Rapsle, Rapley or Rapleye.

The version of the surname likely originated from the surname Rabel or Rabelieu. It is believed to be derived from the French, Belgian or Dutch word “Rapeler” which means to rappel or rope down. This could mean that the Rapelje surname has a connection to those who rappel down cliffs or mountains, such as mountain climbers or even French resistance fighters.

The Rapelje surname can also be found in Germany under the spelling of Rapelke, or in Austria as Rapalya. There are also variant spellings of Ropelere found in Flanders and Switzerland and of Rotay of which many are found in France.

Despite its variants and spellings, the most common version of the surname remains Rapelje. Due to its multiple forms and spellings, it is important to remain attentive during research in order to not miss out on any information related to this surname.

Famous people with the name Rapelje

• Michael Rapelje: Michael Rapelje is a former American professional basketball player who played 10 seasons in the NBA and ABA. He was a three-time NBA All-Star.
• Gertrude van den Rapelje: Gertrude van den Rapelje was a sculling champion from the U.S. in the early 20th century. She won a gold medal at the 1910 World Sculling Championship.
• Christopher Rapelje: Christopher Rapelje is a noted American attorney who is known for representing high profile cases, such as the criminal trial of OJ Simpson and the subsequent civil trial trial.
• George Rapelje: George Rapelje was an American politician, who was the mayor of Newark, New Jersey in the early 1900s. He was also a noted philanthropist.
• Esther Rapelje: Esther Rapelje was an American writer who wrote several popular novels in the 1930s and 1940s, including the novels The Shining Island and The Wind In My Wings.
• Marie Louise Rapelje: Marie Louise Rapelje was an Australian concert pianist in the 1920s, performing classical and contemporary music.
• Margaret Rapelje: Margaret Rapelje was an American silent film star of the 1910s, appearing in such films as Mary Pickford’s classics, Tess of the Storm Country and The Poor Little Rich Girl.
• Antoine Rapelje: Antoine Rapelje was the first French settler of New York, arriving in the 1600s and later becoming one of the founders of the first European settlement on Long Island.
• Tanya Rapelje: Tanya Rapelje is a British illustrator who is best known for her watercolour illustrations of children's stories and characters.
• Henry Rapelje: Henry Rapelje was an American politician who was a member of the New York State Assembly in the late 1800s.

Other surnames

RapelgeRapelleRapelye