Surname Kappe - Meaning and Origin
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Kappe: What does the surname Kappe mean?
The last name Kappe is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “kappe,” which means “hat.” It’s a habitational name for someone living in areas where the dialect used the word “kappe” to mean “a hood of a garment” or “head covering.” Variations of the name include Kapp, Kappens, Kappes, Kappus, Kape, Kap, and Kaps.
The most likely source of the Kappe name is a matter of conjecture. It could be associated with the occupation of a cap-maker or cap-weaver, one who sells caps, or someone who wore a distinctive cap. It could also be linked to a particular region or locale such as a place-name, castle, topography, or even a nickname.
As a surname, Kappe can also indicate a family connection with churches, houses, or graves. It indicates the owner of such places had a cap in their coat of arms or a member of the family bore a distinctive headgear.
For some Kappe bearers, this name can be used as a sign of status and dignity, such as in the time of knights and other noble officials who were indications of social rank and fashion.
The Kappe surname remains found in Germany, Poland, Holland, and Switzerland today. It continues to show up in the United States as well, indicating the 20th century movement of some Kappes to countries of the diaspora.
Mainly, Kappe is a surname that offers a link to the past and is a living reminder of the Germanic heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKappe: Where does the name Kappe come from?
The last name Kappe is most commonly seen in Germany today. It is of German origin and has several possible derivations, including “Kahle,” which means “bald,” or “Käppen,” which meant “wooden bowl.”
The earliest recorded example of the surname was found in 1320, when Johannes Kappe was mentioned in a document from the Luxembourg City archives. It was also recorded in Germany in 1420, when Jodocus Kappe was listed in the city of Leipzig’s records.
Today, the Kappe surname is most commonly found in the southeastern region of Germany, particularly near the cities of Nuremberg, Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin. It is also common in adjacent regions, such as Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
The Kappe surname is usually spelled with a double “p” in Germany, and a single “p” in other parts of Europe. In addition, variants of the Kappe surname include Kapp, Kape, Kapes, and Kapthe.
In the United States, the last name Kappe is increasingly more common as the result of immigrants bearing the name, as well as those of German descent. In fact, a 2011 Census report indicates that the name is found in most U.S. states.
Variations of the surname Kappe
The surname Kappe has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Kappe is a German surname that comes from the Old High German word kappa meaning "cap, hood, or head covering." Variants of the name include Kapp, Kappey, Kappel, Kaepfel, Koppel, Kaepf, Kappell, Kaeppel, Koppelmann, Kaepple, Kaepferer, and Kaepfelin.
In Dutch, the name Kappe is spelled Kappen. Variations of this variant include Kappijn, Kapp, Kappell, Kappen, Kaepfel, Kaepf, Kaepfler, Kaepfeler, Kaepfelin, Kappenhenke, Kappenhuber, Kappelmans, and Kappmaker.
Kapusniak is a Slavic version of the surname, believed to come from the Czech language, derived from the Old Slavic word 'kapo', meaning 'hood.' Variations of this surname include Kapustiak, Kapustjan, Kapuszynski, Kapusanchek, Kappus, Kapustiansky, Kapusanczyk, and Kapusnik.
In Poland, the name is spelled Kowalczyk and variations include Kowalski, Kowalczuk, Kowalchik, Kowalczewski, Kowalvyk, Kowalika, and Kowaluk.
Finally, in Yiddish, the name is spelled Kapel and variants include Kaplansky, Kaplovitsky, Kaplontek, Kaplon, Kaplovetsky, Kaplitsky, and Kaplen.
Famous people with the name Kappe
- Thomas Kappe, a German photographer and video artist.
- Hilde Kappes, a German actress.
- Bernhard Kappe, a German nurse who helped create the International Red Cross.
- Fritz Kappes, an American criminal justice professor.
- Peter Kappe, an Austrian-American physician and researcher.
- Gerhard Kappe, an Austrian philosopher and theologian.
- Wendy Kappe, an American business executive.
- Peggy Kappe, a Danish journalist and author.
- Chris Kappe, a German economist and writer.
- Gaylord Kappe, an American architect and urban planner.
- Gale Kappe, an American singer-songwriter.
- William Kappe, a Canadian sculptor and painter.
- Leonard Kappe, an Austrian-American molecular biologist, biochemist, and entrepreneur.
- Carol Heywang Kappe, an American amatuer astronomer.
- Ted Kappe, a Dutch soccer coach and manager.
- John Kappe, an American football coach.
- John D. Kappe, an American college professor, author and speaker.
- Paul Kappe, a former German diplomat.
- Yvonne Kappe, a German politician.
- Herbert Kappe, a German-Australian television producer.