Surname Rapelye - Meaning and Origin

Rapelye: What does the surname Rapelye mean?

The last name Rapelye is of French origin, derived from the word "Rapelier". The name is believed to be occupational for someone who made and sold rosaries, or a rosary seller, from the French "chapelet" meaning rosary. It's also suggested that the name could refer to someone who lived by a chapel, given that "chapel" translates to "chapelle" in French. The Rapelye family dates back to the early settlers in New York when it was still New Amsterdam. Joris Jansen Rapelje, originally from France, was amongst the first pioneers who established themselves in America in the 17th century. His daughter, born in 1625, is noted as being the first European Christian female child born in New Netherland. Today, Rapelye Street in Brooklyn, New York, stands as a testament to the historical significance of the family in the genesis of America's early settlements.

Rapelye: Where does the name Rapelye come from?

The last name Rapelye is most commonly found in the United States. It is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “rape” which meant “rope.” The name likely originated from the use of rope for clothing or crafts. It is possible that the early bearers of the name had some form of occupation or trade involving rope.

Today, the last name Rapelye is most prominent in the Northeastern United States. Within the region, it is one of the more common surnames, with families in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Jersey. As recently as the 2010 United States Census, families with the last name were found in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

The surname can also be found in the United Kingdom. For instance, the UK Electoral Roll of 2004 lists individuals with the surname living in London, Liverpool, and Kent. It can also be found in Canada, mainly in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

It is worth noting that some of the earliest spellings of the surname do not include the “e” at the end. Examples include Rappley, Rapley, Raplye, and Rapple. A family near Albany, New York, with the last name has spelled their name Raplee since the mid-1700s.

Regardless of the spelling, the last name Rapelye is used throughout the United States today and still holds the same meaning of “rope” it did centuries ago.

Variations of the surname Rapelye

Rapelye is an uncommon surname with variant spellings and other surnames of similar origins. The surname ‘Rapelye’ is originally derived from a French place name, which originated from a Gallo-Roman personal name ‘Rapalus’. The variants of this surname include Rabely, Rapploi, and Rapalje.

Rabely is a variation of the surname Rapelye, which is French in origin. This spelling is sometimes used in the U.S. as well as parts of Canada. The Rabelo variation was most common among the Portuguese immigrants in the U.S. and Canada.

Rapploi is a common German variant of the surname Rapelye. Variations on this surname include Rapclou. It is thought to have derived from a French place name.

Rapalje is a modern spelling of this surname, which is found in the United States and parts of Canada. Like Rapelye, it is derived from a place name but is spelled differently as is evident in the spelling. It is mainly associated with Dutch immigrants in the U.S.

In conclusion, there are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Rapelye, including Rabely, Rapploi, Rapclou and Rapalje. While they all have a similar origin, each variant has its own unique history based on the region where it's found.

Famous people with the name Rapelye

• Robert Rapelye: Robert Rapelye is the Deputy Director of the Voice of America. He leads the largest U.S. international broadcasting organization, Voice of America (VOA).
• Christy Rapelye: Christy Rapelye is the current Dean of Admission at Princeton University. She is responsible for outreach programs that assist student leaders to gain access to the university.
• Joseph Rapelye: Joseph Rapelye is an American composer and lyricist. He has written a wide variety of songs, most of which have been recorded by famous artists including Carly Simon, James Taylor and Joe Cocker.
• Henry Rapelye: Henry Rapelye was an American lawyer, judge and politician. He served in the New York State Assembly and was a member of the New York Supreme Court until he resigned due to ill health in 1922.
• William Rapelye: William Rapelye is a former American college football coach. He served as the defensive coordinator for the USC Trojans from 1996 to 1997.
• Victoria Rapelye: Victoria Rapelye is an American jewellery designer, crafting award-winning collections of fine art jewellery. Her studio is based in Portland, Oregon, where she produces bespoke pieces for clients.
• Frauke Rapelye: Frauke Rapelye is a German Paralympic gold-medalist swimmer. She has won a variety of medals including a silver medal in the 400m Freestyle at the 2016 Summer Paralympics.

Other surnames

RapelgeRapeljeRapelle