Surname Kapeler - Meaning and Origin
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Kapeler: What does the surname Kapeler mean?
The last name Kapeler is an occupational surname originating from Germany and is a variation of the German surname, Kapler. It is likely derived from the medieval occupation of chapeler or “keeper of the keys” of the church. In the 11-12th century, a main duty of the chapeler was to work with the sacrist and the sexton in taking out church vessels on processions and censuses and then returning them to the deposit. In the 13th century, the responsibility of the chapeler grew to include notifying and receiving special orders from the Pope and helping in the bureaucratic administration of the diocese.
The surname Kapeler probably started out as a nickname for someone with this occupation and over time the surname Kapeler was used to refer to their descendants. Additionally, “Kapeler” also has appeared as a variation of the Dutch surname Kaap which means “hawker” or “pedlar,” a term that came to refer to a person selling cloth by the yard.
The surname Kapeler is an uncommon one today and is associated with individuals and families who can trace their ancestry back to the ancient German region of Bavaria. As a result, those with the last name Kapeler are likely to have some connection with Bavarian culture and customs.
Order DNA origin analysisKapeler: Where does the name Kapeler come from?
The last name Kapeler is a German-Jewish name and can be found primarily in the United States, Canada, and in countries with German-Jewish populations, such as Israel, Russia, and Ukraine. It is also found in other countries around the world, including Australia, Argentina, and South Africa.
The Kapeler surname is believed to have began in Germany, where it evolved from Kapelmacher, which is a German-Jewish surname meaning "hat maker". Some documented history of the Kapeler family in Germany can be found in the Jewish Cemetery in Grebenstein, Germany, where family members are buried.
Immigrants from Germany to the U.S. with the last name Kapeler first settled in Pennsylvania in the 1800s, although many later settled in areas elsewhere in the country. In addition to the United States, Kapeler families have been established in countries around the world, including Israel, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Argentina, and South Africa.
A few notable individuals with the Kapeler surname include Judith Kapeler, a television journalist from California; Emanu Kapeler, a Berlin-based artist; and Mathew Kapeler, an American composer.
Today, the Kapeler family can be found in many countries around the world, in both metropolitan and remote areas.
Variations of the surname Kapeler
Kapeler is an uncommon surname of German and Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is derived from the Middle High German words 'Kaplan' and 'Käppeler', meaning 'chaplain' and 'little cape', respectively. In addition, spelling variations may include Kappeler, Kapeler, Kappeler, Käpfeler, Käppell, Kaepeler, Kaipeler, Kappler, Kapper, Kappl, Kapel, Kapell, Kaeple, and Kaepeler.
Surnames of the same origin and related to Kapeler may include Kaple, Käppel, Käppeler, Kapelle, Kavelop, Kaplow, Kaible, Kabel, Kabelmann, Kappler, Kapper, Kople, Koppel, Koppelman, Koppelmann, Kopplow, Kaplowitz, Kaplon, Kaplheer, Kaul, and Kaulman.
Variants of the surname Kapeler may have been given to immigrants upon arrival in the United States, Canada, or other countries, as these spellings were likely more familiar to civil officers. This likely accounts for the wide variety of spellings from known variations today.
Famous people with the name Kapeler
- Brenda Kapeler: an American humanitarian social worker and professional fundraiser.
- Philip Kapeler: a Jewish-American professor, author, and speaker of modern Jewish thought.
- Nancy Kapeler: co-founder of Kapeler Productions, a corporate event planning and production business.
- Boris Kapeler: a filmmaker, and owner of Kapeler Productions.
- Roy Kapeler: an American historian and United States Marine Corps veteran.
- Hannah Kapeler: an Olympic fencer from the United States of America.
- Wesley Kapeler: a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter.
- Melissa Kapeler: an American actress, producer, and director.
- Carly Kapeler: a writer, director, and producer from California.
- David Kapeler: an American attorney and former United States Navy petty officer.