Surname Rapelle - Meaning and Origin

Rapelle: What does the surname Rapelle mean?

The surname Rapelle is derived from Middle French meaning “rappeler,” meaning “to recall” or “to remind”. It is believed to have originally been a nickname for a person who continually recalled people or events from the past. It’s also possible that the name was used to signify a person’s heightened memory or a keen awareness of his surroundings.

Historically, the name was extremely popular in the Brittany region of France where it was frequently borne by prominent noble families. The name also appears on the list of French Indochina settlers in 1719, making it one of France’s oldest colonial placenames.

Rapelle is also the name of several locales, most notably the town of Rapelle-en-Valley in the Calvados region and Rapelle-en-Caux in Seine-Maritime. Both have long been associated with the name and are thought to have derived their names from their respective first bearers.

Rapelle is a less common version of the more widely-known Rabelais, and both names can be found on various baptismal records in the area. The underlying meaning of Rapelle remains constant whether in surnames, locales, or obscure references - a reminder of days gone by.

Rapelle: Where does the name Rapelle come from?

The Rapelle surname is primarily found in the French region of Bretagne. It is found primarily in the communes of Lamballe, La Guimorais, and Moncontour, which are located in the department of Côtes–d–Armor in the northeast part of Bretagne. The surname Rapelle is also found in smaller numbers in other parts of France, such as the departments of Hérault (in Languedoc–Roussillon), Nord (in Nord–Pas–de–Calais), and Aude (in Languedoc–Roussillon). The surname is also found among members of the French Canadian diaspora - most notably in the greater Montréal region. Outside of France and Canada, the surname appears to be most common in the United States and Australia - with its usage having gained popularity in both countries due to French immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in the state of Louisiana (thanks to French colonial influence), followed by Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Texas, California, and New Jersey. In Australia, the surname is most commonly found in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

Variations of the surname Rapelle

The surname Rapelle (also spelled Rapel or Rapelle) has French origins. There are several variants of the name that are used today.

Rapelle is most often seen spelled without an “e”, as “Rapel”. This variation is especially seen in France. Another variant, often seen among members of the French-Canadian diaspora, is “Rapelle”. This variant is sometimes seen with two “l”s, as in the spelling “Rappelle”.

Variants and spelling variations of the Rapelle surname include Rapel, Rappel, Rappelle, Rabel, Rabell, Rabille, Rabillé, Rabelles, Rabelle, Raprell, Ravaille, Ravail and Ravay. Many of these variants are found primarily among members of the French-Canadian diaspora.

Surnames with similar origins to Rapelle include Chappelle, Robidoux, Logier and Ignace, which are all derived from the French word “chapelle,” meaning “chapel” or “small church.” Other surnames which are derived from the same root as the Rapelle surname include Rapp, Requin, Reboulet, Savoie, Venette and Rolette, among others.

In conclusion, the surname Rapelle has many variants and spelling variations, including Rapel, Rapelle, Rappel, Rappelle, Rabel, Rabell, Rabille, Rabillé, Rabelles, Rabelle, Raprell, Ravaille, Ravail and Ravay, as well as many surnames with similar origins.

Famous people with the name Rapelle

• Florent Rapelle: A former soccer player who played for the French national team from the 1990s to the 2000s.
• Pablo Rapelle: An Argentinian-born Brazilian cuatrista and composer who is a renowned artist in choro music.
• Paul Rapelle: An English actor who has appeared in popular TV shows and films such as Deadpool 2, Skyfall, and Mamma Mia.
• Yves Rapelle: A French-born sculptor who created works ranging from abstract and figurative sculptures to tapestries and stained glass window pieces.
• Brigitte Rapelle: A French-born fashion designer who opened her own ready-to-wear studio in Paris in the early 1990s.
• Alphonse Rapelle: A French-born composer and concert pianist who toured Europe in the late 19th and early 20th century.
• Pierre Rapelle: A French-born French Classical guitarist and luthier who is a distinguished classical guitar teacher and author from the late 20th and early 21st century.
• Christiane Rapelle: A French-born artist and illustrator whose artworks are based on naturalistic images which draw from her wildlife knowledge.
• Joseph Rapelle: An American film director and producer best known for his films such as Devil Dog: The Hound of Heaven and Leprechaun 4: In Space.
• Jean-Louis Rapelle: A French-born architect who is noted for the modernist housing projects he designed in the 1950s and 1960s.

Other surnames

RapelgeRapeljeRapelye