Surname Kapaun - Meaning and Origin
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Kapaun: What does the surname Kapaun mean?
The last name Kapaun is an occupational surname derived from the German word for "armour bearer," which literally translates as "carrier of the armour." The surname may have originated with someone who carried a coat of armour for a knight, or it may have been derived from a non-military occupation such as a tailor or a shoemaker.
The name is mainly found throughout Germany, as well as Austria and northern Italy. In Germany, the name likely originated several hundred years ago. It could have been a description of a person's occupation or a nickname given to someone who was particularly strong or reliable, qualities that would be important to have when carrying heavy armour.
Over the centuries, the Kapaun surname has spread to other European countries and to the United States. Many people who bear the surname today may have ancestors who emigrated during the 19th and 20th centuries. The surname may have been modified or changed slightly upon entering the United States, but the underlying meaning and origin remain the same.
The surname Kapaun has been adopted by many different families and can be found in a variety of cultures. It is an interesting example of how a name has been adapted and changed but still carries a signature of its origin.
Order DNA origin analysisKapaun: Where does the name Kapaun come from?
The last name Kapaun is a relatively uncommon name among modern-day populations, with the largest concentrations found in Germany, Austria, and the United States.
In Germany and Austria, the Kapaun name is believed to have come from a place-name of Kapaun date, which likely originated from the Indo-European root word “cap”, meaning “head”. This could mean that the Kapauns originally lived in an area called “the head of the area” or “the top of the area”. Subsequently, this area might have been where the Kapauns got their surname.
In the United States, the origin of the Kapaun surname has been linked to immigrants from Germany and Austria who settled in Pennsylvania during the 18th century. A few other people with the Kapaun name immigrated from Germany and Austria in the 19th and early 20th centuries, making the name even more widespread. Today, the name appears to be more common in states like Pennsylvania, Texas, Iowa, and Minnesota.
The Kapaun name also appears to have been adopted by some Native American tribes. For instance, the Lakota tribe adopted the last name Kiyenge Kapaun, meaning “Like Eagle”, for members of a tribe in order to honor war heroes.
Overall, the last name Kapaun is still relatively uncommon, but it does have a presence in Germany, Austria, the United States, and some Native American tribes.
Variations of the surname Kapaun
The surname Kapaun is a German and Czech spelling of the surname Kapaun, also spelled KaPaun, KaPon, Kapahn, Kapan, Kapaun, and Kapaunn. The surname Kapaun is thought to have originated in Germany, from the region of Lower Saxony.
The surname Kapaun can trace its roots back to the times of medieval Germany, when it was used as an occupational name for a warrior or a soldier. The literal meaning is believed to have originated from either the Germanic 'Kapf' or 'Kapfen', meaning 'bellows', or from the Germanic 'Kaapi' or 'Kappi', meaning 'bone'. As time passed, this occupational name was adapted to become the surname Kapaun.
In addition to the traditional spelling of Kapaun, the surname appears in various alternative spellings throughout Europe and the United States. These include the Czech phonetic spelling of Kapaun, KaPaun, KaPon, Kapahn, Kapan, Kapaun, and Kapaunn.
In the United States, the surname Kapaun is most commonly found among German and Czech immigrant families. In the 19th century, many immigrants bearing the Kapaun surname moved to America from their homelands, looking for a better life. The Kapaun surname is still observed throughout the United States today, and is the surname of several prominent figures in American history.
Families with the Kapaun surname can also trace their roots back to other parts of Europe, such as Poland, Hungary, Austria and the Netherlands. Over time, the Kapaun surname has also been altered in a variety of ways by those families, including Kapow, Kapanow and Kapun. All of these spellings and variants can be traced back to the same origins, as well as to the traditional German and Czech spelling of Kapaun.
Famous people with the name Kapaun
- Emil Kapaun: an American Roman Catholic priest and Army chaplain who served in the Korean War who was later posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery.
- Raymond Kapaun: an American computer specialist and NASA engineer who worked as part of the Apollo program, helping to design and to build the lunar rover.
- Roy Kapaun: an American actor best known for his roles in the television series Mash, and the shows Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue.
- Joseph Kapaun: an American Olympic gold medalist in rowing who competed in the 1948 Summer Games in London, England.
- Alfred Kapaun: an American film and television producer best known for his work on Cheers, Family Ties, and Frasier.
- James Kapaun: an American ice hockey player who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.
- Brandon Kapaun: an American entrepreneur and computer scientist, who is best known for founding the online food delivery service Door Dash.
- Greg Kapaun: an American wheelchair tennis player who competed at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, England.
- Christine Kapaun: an American Olympic fencer who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
- Matt Kapaun: an American professional baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox from 1997-2000.