Surname de Rapalje - Meaning and Origin
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de Rapalje: What does the surname de Rapalje mean?
The last name de Rapalje is thought to have originated in the Netherlands during the late medieval period. The name is derived from the Dutch words "de Rappalje”, which means 'rabbits with long ears'. It was likely given to someone who looked like a rabbit or to someone who lived in an area known for its rabbits.
The de Rapalje family has been documented in the Netherlands since at least the mid-1600s, when Jan Luycas Hendrikszoon de Rapalje was baptized in Amsterdam. The name is also found in other regions of Europe, such as France, Germany, Belgium, and England, where it is sometimes recorded as De Rappalje or de Rapal.
The de Rapalje family is likely descended from the lower nobility of the medieval era, as members of their family appear to have held prominent positions in various professions in the Netherlands, including medicine, the clergy, military, and politics.
Today, the de Rapalje family is still present in the Netherlands, with descendants living in various countries around the world. The family continues to share common interests, retain cultural and social ties, and work hard to keep their long-standing traditions alive.
Order DNA origin analysisde Rapalje: Where does the name de Rapalje come from?
The last name de Rapalje is fairly common in different parts of the world today. The original family is believed to have been from Holland, with the earliest records of the name appearing in the Netherlands during the late 17th century. The name has spread widely since then, with people bearing the name popping up in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, and even Israel.
In North America, there is a sizable de Rapalje community in the USA, particularly in New York. An informal organization, The de Rapalje Clan, is dedicated solely to finding and connecting all members of the family. It also omniously preserves the family's Dutch heritage by taking part in Dutch Traditions like the annual Sinterklaas celebration once popular in the Netherlands. This event is usually accompanied by a parade of costumed marchers, handcrafted decorations, a traditional pick of sweets, and other festivities.
Elsewhere, the name has spread far and wide, with people of the Rapalje name appearing in countries such as France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and even Canada. Some families may have chosen to anglicize the name by changing its spelling, which is why it's also sometimes seen as de Rapalye, de Rapelje, and de Raplee, among other variants. It's also important to remember that names can be fluid, so the de Rapalje family may actually come from different parts of the world and have different cultural backgrounds.
In any case, the last name de Rapalje is still around today, although it is certainly spread far and wide across numerous countries. This is a testament to the family's long-standing presence in the world, as the name has endured over the centuries.
Variations of the surname de Rapalje
The surname De Rapalje has a few different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Many of them are derived from the Dutch word “Raap,” meaning “rape and turnip” and were probably adopted to indicate a roots in the agricultural industry.
One common variant is the spelling “De Rappalje” with double P. Other spellings include “De Rapplee,” “De Raplee,” and “De Rapple”. Various surnames of the same origin include “Rapple,” “Rapley,” and “Rapleye”.
While this surname can be found in the Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles, it can also be found in the United States, especially in certain parts of South Carolina. Immigrants to the United States often altered their name to “Rapley” upon their arrival.
In last few years, genealogists have discovered a connection between many of these spellings and surnames and the original De Rapalje family. It is likely that the spellings and surnames all originated from the same Dutch root word. As such, the surname De Rapalje has a rich and varied history that shows the interconnectivity of various families and their efforts to assimilate.
Famous people with the name de Rapalje
- Pieter de Rapalje (c. 1611: c. 1626): One of the first settlers of New Amsterdam (now known as New York) in the 1600s and descendant of a Dutch family known as the Rapaljes.
- Claes de Rapalje (c. 1630: 1691): Son of Pieter de Rapalje, a known builder in the colony and the first to introduce the cultivation of tobacco to the new world.
- Roeloff de Rapalje (1624: 1662): First Italian-born settler of New Amsterdam.
- Anna de Rapalje (c. 1630: 1685): Daughter of Pieter de Rapalje, married to van Couwenhoven and mother of 12 children.
- Annetje de Rapalje (c. 1649: 1719): Daughter of Pieter and Anna de Rapalje who went to be the oldest known settler in the English kingdom in Swansea.
- Hendrick de Rapalje (c. 1661: c. 1720): Son of Claes de Rapalje and remembered as a prominent Dutch Reformed Church elder.
- Catharine de Rapalje (1700: 1761): Daughter of Annetje de Rapalje, married to Lewis DuBois and ancestor of many prominent American families.
- Rachel de Rapalje (1750: 1815): Daughter of Catharine de Rapalje and wife of John L. Schuyler.
- Stephen de Rapalje (1749: 1823): Son of Catharine de Rapalje and husband of Deborah Conyn Schuyler.
- Isaac de Rapalje (1790: 1875): Son of Stephen de Rapalje and mayor of Albany, NY.