Surname Rappaille - Meaning and Origin
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Rappaille: What does the surname Rappaille mean?
The last name Rappaille is of French origin and is believed to have been derived from the French word ‘rappail’ meaning a raft or boat. It is believed that the first bearers of the surname lived near the river or coastal area and used the name as a reference to their trade or profession.
Rappaille is a fairly common name – in 2019, it was the 47230th most popular name in France.
The family line dates back to the 17th century, during the reign of Louis XIV and before. The first known individual with the Rappaille surname was Galtier Rappaille, birth recorded in 1643. At the time, France was experiencing significant wealth and power, and many of the families of the country were beginning to expand and evolve.
The first recorded use of Rappaille as a last name in France dates back to 1739 when Jean Rappaille was born in the town of Montmâen-la-Vallée in the north of France.
In general, Rappaille is a surname which is often associated with a hardworking and resilient group of people. Those with the Rappaille name are believed to have the courage and strength of will to overcome any challenge, no matter how daunting. It’s also thought to be a name which brings luck in life.
Order DNA origin analysisRappaille: Where does the name Rappaille come from?
The last name Rappaille is most commonly found today in France. It is a particularly popular name in the southeastern region along the Rhone and Ardèche rivers. Additionally, the name can be found in other parts of Europe, particularly Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany.
The surname Rappaille likely originates from Northern France, and is believed to be derived from the Old French word rapailler, which translates to the word 'to gather.' The original spelling of this name is thought to be Rapalles.
In France, the name Rappaille is one of the most popular surnames in the regions of Lorraine and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Further, it is noted as being a particularly common surname in the departments of Gironde, Gard, and Vaucluse. It is estimated that, in France, the name Rappaille is held by approximately 6,500 people.
In Belgium, the surname is most commonly found in the Flanders region, particularly in the areas of West Flanders and East Flanders. Additionally, there is a large concentration of this surname in the city of Charleroi in the Hainaut province.
In Germany, the last name Rappaille is rarely found. In Switzerland, the surname is mostly concentrated in the Basel-City and Ticino cantons, and the German-speaking part of the country.
In the United States, the name Rappaille is most commonly found in Louisiana, especially amongst French-speaking people. It is also found in New York, Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas. It is estimated that there are currently less than three thousand people with the surname Rappaille in the United States.
Variations of the surname Rappaille
Rappaille is an old French family name, which has a number of variant spellings and surnames of the same origins. Some of these variants include Rappaile, Rappailler, Rappall, Rappeel, Repsall, and Rapalee. It is believed that the name originates from the Old French term rapaille, meaning rabble. This would suggest that the original bearer of the name was a rabble-rouser or someone who stirred up the rabble.
Rappaille is also the French version of the Old English name Rapple, which is now more commonly found in Britain. This name derives from the Middle English word rapen, meaning to snatch or tear with the teeth. It is thought that the original bearer of the name was someone who had a quick and peremptory temper.
Rappaille is also derived from the German name Rappe, which literally means rope maker. This was a common family name for someone who made ropes or twine for a livelihood. There are also variants of the German Rappe, such as Rapa, Rappel, Rappa, Rapl, and Rappei.
The Scandinavian version of Rappaille is Rappel, which basically means someone who relies heavily on blind luck and chance. Lastly, Rappaille can also be derived from the Italian name Rapalino, which translates to someone who is ‘ very brave’ or ‘full of courage’.
Overall, Rappaille is an old French surname with a wealth of variants and origin stories.
Famous people with the name Rappaille
- Paul Rappaille: French actor and director.
- Alexandra Rappaport: Swedish actress best known for her role in the popular Swedish comedy series, Solsidan.
- Tom Rapp: American folk singer and songwriter who was popular in the 1970s and 80s.
- Renée Rapp: Alist American actress with an extensive list of credited roles.
- Kevin Rappaille: Canadian musician and record producer.
- Jody Rapps: Emmy Award winning writer, producer, and documentary filmmaker.
- Edouard Rapp: French sculptor and engraver.
- Jean Rappaille: French painter active in the 19th century, best known for his portraits.
- Marc Rappaille: French sculptor and designer of public art.
- Robert Rappaille: French sculptor most noted for his public and religious art.