Surname Raper - Meaning and Origin
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Raper: What does the surname Raper mean?
The surname Raper is of English and Scottish origin, derived from the Middle English word rapere, which means to seize or to take possession. It was a nickname given to a person who was swift, daring, or aggressive. People with this surname may have been respected figures, such as a hunter or a warrior.
The name is thought to have descended from the Old Norse word “hrapa”, meaning “to snatch”. The Old Norse word is known to be used in the foundation of several present-day surnames.
As far back as the 13th century, records show that the Raper surname was used in both England and Scotland. These records provide evidence of John le Raper in 1275 and John Raper in 1288.
Families bearing the Raper surname were found in Northumberland which in medieval times consisted of areas that today belong to Scotland and England. In Scotland, records document chops of land belonging to the Raper family as well as documents about them in various burghs such as Edinburgh.
Today, the Raper Family name can be found around the country in areas such as Yorkshire, Scotland, Northumberland, and London, which suggests that families with this surname embedded their roots into different parts of the nation.
In present day, the Raper surname still likely depicts strength, swiftness, and aggressiveness. It may have also evolved to encompass the thought of snatching opportunities and taking advantage of them, regardless of the industry. The surname suggests that the families with this last name work hard to ensure success in society.
Order DNA origin analysisRaper: Where does the name Raper come from?
The last name Raper is most common today in the United States, although it has also been found in other countries. According to the Last Names Database, Raper is currently the 11,918th most common surname in the United States. It is most often found in the region stretching from Arizona to North Carolina, but it is also found in pockets of Oregon, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Idaho.
Outside of the United States, it is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Canada. In the UK, it is the 2,743rd most common surname, ranking slightly higher than in the US. In Australia, Raper ranks 1,601st while in Germany it is the 11,503rd most common surname. In Canada, it is the 5,743rd most common name.
The name Raper has an interesting origin story, as it is believed to have come from the Old English given name Ræpere, which means 'raven'. It is thus classified as a metonymic or habitational surname, derived from the place where a person lived and worked. Interestingly, the place name may have potentially referred to a store or a place of entertainment where a Raven was kept as a pet, which was a popular pastime during the Middle Ages.
Overall, the last name Raper today is most common in the United States and also appears in other countries in smaller numbers. It has an interesting origin story, which adds to its appeal.
Variations of the surname Raper
Raper is a surname that has numerous variants, spellings, and even alternate surnames. There are many spellings and variations of Raper, some of which include: Rapier, Rapar, Raper, Rapper, Rapers, Rapere, Raphrah, Rapora, Rappyer, and Rapryer.
Some of the international variants of the Raper surname include: Raparra (Portuguese), Rapara (Italian), Rapera (Spanish), Rapro (Czech Republic), Rappare (Finland), Räper (Germany), Repak (Croatia), Rapier (France), Rappere (Norway), Répere (Haiti), and Repera (Poland).
In addition to various spellings and international variants, Raper is also used in combination with other surnames. This includes names such as: Rapier-Bates, Rapier-Jones, Rapier-Chase, Rapper-Dell, and Rapper-Smith.
Overall, the Raper surname comes in many shapes and sizes, and its history varies from region to region. This versatile surname can span many cultures and often takes on different spellings and alternate surnames.
Famous people with the name Raper
- Francis Darwin Raper: American lawyer best known for representing Muhammad Ali in the Supreme Court in Clay v. United States.
- Lewis Raper: an American civil rights leader who fought for improved access to health care in the south.
- Lucy Raper: one of the earliest African-American female physicians.
- Roy L. Raper: an American minister who served in the Army in World War I, and was later a pastor in Los Angeles.
- Charles Raper: an influential writer and journalist from Louisiana who wrote for newspapers in Lafayette and New Orleans during the late 19th century.
- Richard Raper: former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver from Sanger, Texas.
- Archie Raper: former professional boxer who competed in the Light Middleweight division.
- Gregory K. Raper: English author who wrote critically acclaimed books on the history of the Irish in America.
- Clyde Raper: American football player who was a safety for the Washington Redskins from1974–1978.
- Edward E. Raper: Democratic Florida state senator from 1938–1942.