Surname Rumpel - Meaning and Origin

Rumpel: What does the surname Rumpel mean?

The German surname Rumpel has a variety of interpretations and origin points. Depending on the region it is derived from, the meaning of the surname changes. In North Germany, the surname Rumpel comes from the Old High German word “rumpel” meaning “noise” or “rumble”, and was likely given to someone who made a lot of noise or was particularly loud. In Central and South Germany, the root word from which the surname was formed is “rumpe” which meant “tub”, and was likely given to someone who was a potter or brewer. In East Prussia, it is a variation of the Scottish surname “Rumbold” and also has the same meaning of “noise” or “rumble”.

Regardless of the origin of the name, the surname Rumpel is likely deriving from the characteristic or profession of the person upon which it was bestowed. It is most frequently found in Germany, with some emigrants taking it with them to the United States. Records suggest that the earliest known occurrence of this surname in the US was in 1813, with bearers of the Rumpel surname settling in various states, such as Kansas and Texas.

In modern times, the surname Rumpel is still found in Germany and various places throughout the United States, and is often regarded as a unique and special surname.

Rumpel: Where does the name Rumpel come from?

The last name Rumpel is primarily associated with Germany and Austria. This last name is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the last name is most prevalent in the northern states, particularly in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and the state of Bavaria. It is unclear how far back the origin of the name goes, as some theorize that the name may be of Slavic origin.

In the United States, the last name Rumpel is not very common. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Rumpel was the 7,815th most common last name. However, with the influx of immigrants from German-speaking countries to the United States since the mid-1980s, the last name can now be found in most parts of the country. According to ancestry.com, Rumpel is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Given its German origin, the Rumpel family is most likely but not exclusively of ethnic German backgrounds. All members of the Rumpel family are united by the common surname whether they're of German, Austrian, or Swiss background. In any case, due to its Germanic heritage, the name Rumpel is primarily found in German-speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Rumpel

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Rumpel include Rumpel, Rumpelstiltskin, Rumpelstein, Rumple, Rumpels, Rumpeltin, Rumpf, Rumpele, Rumpelmeyer and Rumpelman.

The surname Rumpel (also spelled Rumpl) likely originated in Germany, where it is derived from Middle High German rumpl or rumpel meaning “rumple, wrinkle, or fuss.” The spelling Rumpelstiltskin, which may be more popular, is a German folktale about a miller’s daughter who is forced to spin straw into gold and given three nights to do so in exchange for a fortune.

Rumpelstein is derived from the same Middle High German word, rumpl, and both stem from an occupational name for a wrangler of cloth. Rumple is a common German American spelling of this surname, and is similarly derived from an occupational name. It was often recorded accompanied by the prefix von, meaning “of.”

Rumpels, Rumpeltin, and Rumpf also stem from the same Middle High German root and have similar meanings. Rumpelmeyer, also derived from the German word rumpl, is an occupational name for someone associated with stove construction, such as a tinker. Finally, Rumpelman is a similar occupational name for a wrangler of clothing.

Famous people with the name Rumpel

• Heidi Rumpel: German ice dancer
• Kay Rumpel: English broadcaster and news anchor
• Paul Rumpel: German organization professional
• Tom Rumpel: American professional ice hockey player
• Franz Rumpel: German author and illustrator
• Alexander Rumpel: German composer and violinist
• Lothar Rumpel: German Roman Catholic cardinal
• Jim Rumpel: American professional golfer
• Helmut Rumpel: German rower
• Nicole Rumpel: Austrian singer
• Tanja Rumpel: German actress
• Eric Rumpel: American professional baseball player
• Alexander Rumpel: German professional football player
• Irene Rumpel: Austrian fashion designer
• Kerstin Rumpel: German volleyball player
• Toni Rumpel: German professional badminton player
• Torben Rumpel: German director and screenwriter
• Anja Rumpel: German actress
• Bernhard Rumpel: German tennis player
• Robert Rumpel: German musician and composer

Other surnames

Rumpelt