Surname Raplee - Meaning and Origin

Raplee: What does the surname Raplee mean?

The last name Raplee is of English origin but its exact meaning is unclear. Like many surnames, it could be linked to a specific location, occupation, or an ancestor's personal characteristic. It appears to be rare and could denote local or familial individuality in past centuries. Surnames often underwent changes in spelling and pronunciation over time, so Raplee might have morphed from another word or name. Unfortunately, without specific historical and etymological information, the precise meaning of "Raplee" remains uncertain. It is always beneficial to research individual family genealogy to discover more about the potential origin and meaning of a surname.

Raplee: Where does the name Raplee come from?

The last name Raplee is most likely of English origin, though its exact origin is unknown. The name Raplee may have been derived from a place-name in England, or it may have been derived from a given name.

Today, Raplee can be found most commonly in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, Raplee is the 3,926th most common family name in the U.S., with 0.001% of the population bearing the name. Its highest concentration is in New York, with most of the population concentrated in North Carolina, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Despite its relatively low ranking, the name Raplee has had some notable bearers, including 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, who had ancestors with the name. Additionally, there is a branch of the Raplee family in the United States that can trace its ancestry back to William Raplee, the immigrant ancestor, who was a Puritan settler, and who arrived in America around 1640.

The name Raplee is not especially common today, but can still be found in the United States, particularly in states like New York, North Carolina, Massachusetts and New Jersey.

Variations of the surname Raplee

Raplee is a surname which may be found in various versions. The most common of these variations remains Raplee, however there are a few more such as Rapley, Rapple, Rappleigh, Rapleye, Rapplee. It is also noteworthy that other variations of the surname may contain additional letters such as a D, so for example, it could be seen as Draplee as well as Dropplee.

Rappleigh is probably the most common alternative spelling which can be found. This variation can be seen often in historical records, as well as on many family trees. Rappleigh is a variation which was frequently seen in British records. The name was popularized by the royal family in the 17th century, and as such is found most often in England, Scotland and Ireland.

Rapleigh is also another variation of the surname found most commonly in the United States. This spelling can also be seen as Rapleeigh, where the ‘e’ has been removed. The name appears to have transitioned to Rappleigh in the late 1800s and since then, the name has been seen used in the United States as well.

Finally, one may also find the surname Droppley with a double ‘p’. This variation is rather interesting as it is found mostly in British records. The name is believed to have been derived from the surname Raplee, and it appears to have been in Britain since 1700.

Overall, the various spellings of the surname Raplee are not difficult to comprehend. The most common versions of Raplee are Raplee, Rappleigh, Rapley, Rapple, Rapleye as well as Dropple. It is possible to see the surname with an extra ‘e’ after the final consonant, and in some cases, it may even have a double ‘p’.

Famous people with the name Raplee

• Ross Raplee: An Australian freestyle skier, cross country skier, and athlete. He was part of the inaugural Australian Winter Olympic Team in 1992 and won a silver medal at the Winter Olympics in 1994 in Lillehammer in the men's 15km classical style cross-country skiing event.
• Julie Raplee: An American actress and model. She has appeared in television shows such as Beverly Hills, 90210 and Mad Men.
• Brad Raplee: An American country music and Christian performer. He was also a member of the Grammy-nominated band Collin Raye, with whom he had several chart hits.
• Arthur Raplee: An American soldier who was awarded several medals of honor for his service in the Civil War. He was a Union Cavalryman and later a Major in the Army of the United States.
• Daniel Raplee: An American architect who designed several public buildings, including the state Archives building in Wisconsin.
• Linda Raplee: An American science and mathematics teacher. From 1965-1972, she taught in the Upper Arlington, Ohio public school system.
• Sarah Raplee: An American botanist who is considered to be a pioneer in the field of plant pathology. She published a famous work entitled The Status of Plant Pathology in the United States and later worked in research at the New York Botanical Garden.
• Michael Raplee: An American pre-law student who was born in Kansas and graduated from Drake University in 2014. He is a member of the National Business Honors Society.

Other surnames

RapleyRapleye