Surname Kappelmeier - Meaning and Origin

Kappelmeier: What does the surname Kappelmeier mean?

The last name Kappelmeier is an occupational surname of German descent derived from the German word ‘Kappel’ which translates to ‘chapel’ and ‘Meier’ which translates to ‘farm steward’. In other words, the term ‘Kappelmeier’ means someone who was responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a chapel, such as a caretaker or a clergyman.

The exact origins of this surname are not clear, but it is likely that Kappelmeier was first used in the 11th century when families began taking care of chapels in Germany. Later, a noble family, called the House of Kappelmeier, became the leaders of this profession in regions around the Rhine in the 13th century.

Historically, Kappelmeier was not a common surname, but a few notable figures have been associated with it. Artist Joseph Kappelmeier is remembered for his painting of Saint Elisabeth, and music composer Franz Xavier Kappelmeier was influential in the lyrical and harmonious styles of classical music from the late 17th to early 19th centuries.

Today, Kappelmeier may not be a widely used name, but it is still important to remember the legacy of the individuals with this unique last name and the important roles they played in the past. This remarkable name stands as a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Kappelmeier profession and is remembered by families throughout Germany and many other countries around the world.

Kappelmeier: Where does the name Kappelmeier come from?

The last name Kappelmeier is most common in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. However, the surname is widely spread throughout the world, primarily with people of German heritage.

In Germany, the name Kappelmeier is most commonly found in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In Switzerland, the Kappelmeier surname is mostly found in the Canton of Lucerne. In the US, the last name is most prevalent in the Midwestern and Central states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Illinois.

The name is derived from a Middle High German word meaning “chapel master”, and was likely given to people who either managed chapels or worked in or close to them. Descendants of families with the Kappelmeier name may also be found in other countries around the world like Canada, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa and various countries in South America.

The name Kappelmeier is not found in large numbers regardless of region, but it has a long and proud history that can be traced back to Germany's past. Despite its rarity in some countries, the Kappelmeier name still carries a rich heritage and legacy that connects many families around the world.

Variations of the surname Kappelmeier

Kappelmeier is a German surname derived from the combination of two words - 'Kappe' meaning 'hood' and 'Meier' meaning 'farmer.' Variations on the surname include Kappelmeir, Kappelmaier, Kappelmayer, Kapplmeier, Kapplmaier, Kapplmayer, Kappmeier, and Kappmaier, as well as Kappelmeyers and Kappelmeyers. Other similar surnames are Kappenmeier, Kappenmaier, Kappenmayer, Kappenmeir, Kappenmeyers, Kappemeier, Kappemeyer, Kappemeyers, Kappmeyer, Kappmeyer, Kappmeyers, and Kappeneryers.

Kappelmeier is not to be confused with the similar-sounding Cappeller Meyer, which is a variant of Capelle Meijer, another German surname. In this case, 'Capelle' means a place known for opening fountains or sources of water, while 'Meijer' is a common indicative of someone who lives by or near such a place. From this surname, the variations and spellings include Cappelmaier, Cappelmeier, Cappelle Meyer, and Cappeller Meyer.

In some cases, Kappelmeier has been translated into English as Kapplemeier or Capplemeier. Additionally, there are other surnames related to Kappelmeier, such as Kappler, Kappenstein, and Kappellmann, among others. These differnet variants and spellings indicate that this surname has a long and rich history, and that many families bear the same name.

Famous people with the name Kappelmeier

• Zora Kappelmeier: German field hockey player and Olympic silver medalist from the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
• Loretta Kappelmeier: American opinion writer, contributing to publications such as The Huffington Post, Human Rights Watch and The New York Times.
• Elke Kappelmeier: German long-distance runner, having won medals in the half-marathon at the European Athletics Championships in 2012 and 2016.
• Auguste Kappelmeier: German sculptor and artist whose works have been widely exhibited in Germany, as well as the US.
• Natalie Kappelmeier: American art curator, author and former director of the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
• Martha Kappelmeier: German singer, songwriter and music producer.
• Pierre Kappelmeier: Swiss alpine skier, competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
• Kurt Kappelmeier: German engineer and inventor of precision instruments and measurement equipment.
• Georg Kappelmeier: Austrian composer and conductor, best known for his operas and symphonic works.
• Wolfgang Kappelmeier: German psychiatrist, specializing in psychoanalytic discourse and the study of dreams.

Other surnames

KappelmeirKappelmeyer