Surname Rappolder - Meaning and Origin

Rappolder: What does the surname Rappolder mean?

The last name Rappolder is of German origin and is believed to come from the Old German word “Rapolt”, which means “one who governs”. Thus, Rappolder can be interpreted to mean “one who rules over an area of land” or a “governor”. Other variations of the name such as Rappolt, Rappoll, and Rappoltz have been reported, suggesting the name may have origins in more than one language.

Throughout history, the surname Rappolder has been found in many European countries, including Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. It is particularly common in the German regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, as well as in the city of Prague in the Czech Republic.

Due to the occurrence of the name in various European countries, the exact origin of the Rappolder surname cannot be concretely determined. However, one of the likely explanations is that the name originated among noble families, likely due to its meaning of “one who is in power” or “one who governs”. This is supported by the fact that throughout history, the name has often been associated with political figures such as members of parliament, politicians, and government officials.

In modern times, the Rappolder name is still popular in many European countries, offering evidence that its roots stretch back to at least the Middle Ages. Whether someone takes on the name Rappolder today is ultimately up to them. Regardless, the surname’s connotations of power and rulership are sure to add an interesting conversation piece to any family tree.

Rappolder: Where does the name Rappolder come from?

The last name Rappolder is typically found in Germany and other German speaking countries today. It is a fairly uncommon surname, but many people with the name Rappolder can trace their roots back to Germany's southern region. This region is bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic.

In Germany, the most popular province for the name Rappolder is Bavaria, particularly the city of Munich. Other large population centers include Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Cologne. The number of people with the last name Rappolder has grown steadily in recent decades, although it remains a relatively uncommon name.

Outside of Germany, the last name Rappolder can also be found in the United States, Canada, and other parts of Europe. Many immigrants with the name Rappolder arrived in North America in the 19th and 20th centuries. This includes immigrants from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but also those coming to countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States from other areas of the world.

Rappolder is still a rather rare name today, but is increasingly found across the world. With the world becoming ever more connected, it is more likely that descendants of people with the name Rappolder will be able to reunite and share stories with the wider family network.

Variations of the surname Rappolder

The surname Rappolder has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Rappolder, Rappleer, Rappuller, Rapplere, Reinpolder, Rauplolder, Ravoli, Rapolde, Rapoldi, Ravoli, and Rapolli.

The associated spelling variants of the surname Rappolder likely have many different origins and are most likely derived from a variety of Middle High German and Old German words, such as the words rhapold (meaning ‘bottle’), rapfalt (meaning ‘beau’) and rappolte (meaning ‘rod’). Furthermore, the suffix -er is likely indicative of a locational origin, as it is associated with a topographical feature or a place, such as a farmstead, settlement or village.

In addition, several regional variants of the surname Rappolder exist in Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria, Thuringia and Saxony. These variants include Rappleer, Raplolder, Rapplere, Reinpolder, Rauplolder, Ravoli, Rapolde, Rapoldi, Rapolli, and even Rappler in some regions.

Finally, while the surname Rappolder is most commonly found in Germany, the surname has been found in other parts of Europe and the U.S. as well. It is believed that the name was adopted by German immigrants in the late-18th and 19th centuries, and now the U.S. variant of the surname is spelled “Rapold”.

Famous people with the name Rappolder

• Sarah Rappolder: Actress and humanitarian best known for her roles in the Harry Potter films.
• Tom Rappolder: Former Major League Baseball outfielder who played in the World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993.
• Jeff Rappolder: American Football Coach at John Carroll University who led the Blue Streaks to the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2017.
• Andrew Rappolder: Emmy award-winning television director and producer for shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Hit Me Baby One More Time.
• Denise Rappolder: Operatic soprano singer and vocal coach, who has performed with opera companies across the United States and Europe.
• Arthur Rappolder: Nonprofit executive and award-winning science policy strategist who has served on the nonprofit board of the National Audubon Society.
• Joe Rappolder: Founding partner at the Florida-based law firm Stilings & Rappolder, P.A.
• Ed Rappolder: Global health and security expert who has served as a consultant on global affairs for the State Department.
• Mindy Rappolder: Poet and artist, whose work focuses on themes of identity, faith, and grief.
• Larry Rappolder: President and CEO of AgriEnergy, Inc. an energy efficiency and renewable energy consulting firm.

Other surnames

RappoldRäppoldRappoldt