Surname Kappenstein - Meaning and Origin
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Kappenstein: What does the surname Kappenstein mean?
The last name Kappenstein is a German surname derived from the Middle High German "kappe" meaning "hood," and "stein," meaning "stone." The name likely originated as a habitational surname given to someone who lived near a hooded stone, such as a monument marking a city gate or boundary. Alternately, the name may refer to someone who lived in a town or city named after a hooded stone—such as Kappel near Eisenach, Germany.
The story of the Kappenstein family goes back many centuries. Records indicate that the Kappenstein surname is found primarily in Germany and Austria, with the earliest records appearing in the Middle Ages. The earliest known Kappensteins include a burgomaster (Mayor) of Luckenwalde, Germany in 1566, a Protestant Mayor of Oels-Brieg, Silesia in 1567, and a Swiss-born physicician at the court of the Duke of Bavaria in 1608.
Today, the Kappensteins are spread throughout the world, but are still very much tied to their Germanic roots. The branch of Kappenstein residing in the United States is descended from John Kappenstein, born in 1780 in Germany. He travelled to the United States, settling permanently in Ohio in 1829. Other branches of the Kappensteins residing in the United States and Canada can trace their descent back to the eighteenth century Germanic families who settled in various Midwest states.
In summary, the last name Kappenstein is a Germanic name, likely derived from a habitational name given to individuals living near a hooded stone or in a city named after one. It has been borne by various members of the family for many centuries and is now found worldwide.
Order DNA origin analysisKappenstein: Where does the name Kappenstein come from?
Kappenstein is a German surname, stemming from the German word "kappe" which means "hat". As such, this surname was likely adopted as an occupational name for hat makers in Germany several centuries ago. Today, the surname is most commonly associated with Germany and its neighboring countries, with some presence in Austria and Switzerland.
According to ancestry.com, as of 2020 there are about 780 individuals surnamed Kappenstein living in Germany. Most of these individuals reside in the states of Bavaria (around 350 individuals), Rhineland-Palatinate (around 280 individuals), and Baden-Württemberg (around 140 individuals). There are also smaller populations of Kappenstein living in Thuringia, Saxony, Lower Saxony, and Berlin.
Outside of Germany, the surname is much rarer. Austria is home to just over 50 individuals with the surname, while Switzerland and the Netherlands each have populations of under 20. The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom each have fewer than 15 individuals with the surname. Interestingly, the prevalence of the surname in the US is increasing, with a 46% increase in the surname since the 1990s.
Overall, the surname Kappenstein is currently most prolific in Germany, with additional places of prevalence in Austria and Switzerland. While the surname is uncommon outside of these countries, the presence of the surname in the US is on the rise.
Variations of the surname Kappenstein
The surname Kappenstein is of German origin and can have a variety of spellings and variants. The most commonly seen variants are Kappenstein, Kappensteine, Kappenstine, Kappensteen, and Kappensteiner. They all derive from the German word “Kappen”, which means hood or cap.
The other spellings for Kappenstein include Cappensteen, Kappenstyn, Kappensten, Kappinstine, Kappenstine, and Kappinsteen. As different branches of the family immigrated around the world, the surname was often spelled differently to suit the language or dialect of the area.
Surnames of similar origin are also formed from Kappenstein. These include Kapstein, Kapsenstein, Kepstein, Kapstain, Koppenstein, Kapstienne, Kaipstein, and Kepstain. In some cases the spelling may be different, but the meaning is still the same.
In some areas, the surname has evolved to create distinct different surnames. Examples of these include Kipple, Kapel, Cappel, Koppel, and Koppelmann. There are also some non-German variants of the surname such as Koppeloli, Kopecinelli, Cappellini, and Koppelins.
The Kappenstein surname is most commonly found in Germany, with smaller concentrations of people with the name in other countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. As the family has spread around the world, the spellings and variants of the name have changed and evolved. Today, all of these multiple spellings and variants of the surname are recognizable as a holistic family unit.
Famous people with the name Kappenstein
- Clare Kappenstein: Former businesswoman, co-founder of company ‘Green Compass,’ and author of the book ‘The Purpose Revolution.’
- Fred Kappenstein: US Army veteran, former Trianon Corporation CEO, and a board member for the Norman Regional Health System.
- Christopher Kappenstein: Canadian comics artist who has worked with publications such as Marvel and DC Comics.
- Bob Kappenstein: Former Canadian Football League player who played for the Montreal Alouettes in the 1950s.
- Henri Kappenstein: Swiss-born sculptor, graphic artist, and designer. His works can be found in the Wilhelm-Busch-Museum in Hanover.
- Anton Kappenstein: US-born head coach of the Austrian National Women’s Soccer Team, known for winning the gold medal at the 2017 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final.
- Jerry Kappenstein: Producer and music composer, known for his work on the documentary ‘The Real World’.
- Oscar Kappenstein: Former professor of graphic design and typography at the Pratt Institute in New York, also known for being a student of Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius.
- Fritz Kappenstein: German-born composer and producer, popularly known for composing several children’s television series.
- Chester Kappenstein: Former professional softball player who won championships in high school, college, and international competitions.