Surname Reepschläger - Meaning and Origin
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Reepschläger: What does the surname Reepschläger mean?
The German surname Reepschläger is an occupational name, meaning ‘ropemaker’. It could refer to someone who worked in a rope factory, or a sailor who worked on a boat making and mending sails, lines and rigging. The ‘schläger’ suffix indicates ‘someone who practises a craft’. Through its history, the rope-making trade has been important for sailing ships as rigging and sails are essential for navigation, so those with this surname have provided a crucial service within sailing communities.
Reepschlägers were particularly important in Germany, where rope factories have been found in many areas since the 16th century; however, the trade could also be found throughout Europe. For example, documents from 1381 in England indicated a committee of London citizens, appointed to find ropes for London’s naval vessels.
The development of synthetic fibres in the 20th century led to a decline in the use of rope-making, but those with the Reepschläger name may take pride in knowing that they are part of a long and traditional family profession. In some areas of Germany, the surname may also have taken on the additional form of ‘Ropemaker’, showing the recognition of the trade in the region.
Order DNA origin analysisReepschläger: Where does the name Reepschläger come from?
The last name Reepschläger is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands today. It is likely derived from an occupation name meaning an individual who works with ropes, such as for ships, sails, and rigging.
In Germany, the Reepschläger surname can be found mostly in the states of Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Lower Saxony, all of which have coastlines on the North and Baltic seas. It is generally more frequent in more urbanized areas, and there is a concentration of the name near the North Sea coast and the Weser River.
In the Netherlands, the name is most common in the provinces of Zeeland, North Brabant, Utrecht, and South Holland, which are all located near the North Sea. As in Germany, it is generally more common in more populated areas near coastal areas.
Over time, individuals with the Reepschläger surname have moved to other locations within Europe and around the world. So, while Germany and the Netherlands continue to have the highest concentration of people with this name, individuals with Reepschläger can also be found in other countries today.
Variations of the surname Reepschläger
The surname Reepschläger has various spellings and variants, including Reepschlager, Reepschlag, Reepschlegel, Reepschlager, Reepslegel, Reepslegel, Reepschlegel, Reepschlagel, Reepsledger, Reepschalger, Reepsichlager, Reepschaleger, Reepshlager, Reepshlaeger, Reepschlaeger, Reepschlaager, Reepschlaager, Reepshlaegle, Reepshlegel, Reepshlagel, Reextchlager, and Reepschalger.
Reepschläger is a German and French surname that is derived from the Old High German rect (rope) + slahhan (to strike). This surname was generally used to denote an individual who made or repaired ropes (e.g. a ropesmith). Additionally, it may have been used as an occupational name for someone who was a weaver of rope-like fabric.
Throughout the centuries, this name has been spelled in a variety of ways, as many spelling variations of surnames were common before the invention of the printing press and the introduction of more standardized spellings. Variations during this time include Reepschlager, Reepschlag, Reepschlegel, Reepschlager, Reepslegel, Reepslegel, Reepschlegel, Reepschlagel, Reepsledger, Reepschalger, Reepsichlager, Reepschaleger, Reepshlager, Reepshlaeger, Reepschlaeger, Reepschlaager, Reepschlaager, Reepshlaegle, Reepshlegel, Reepshlagel, Reextchlager, and Reepschalger.
The earliest recorded spelling of this surname dates back to 1520, when Albrecht Reepschläger was recorded in theinquisitiones post mortem records for Yorkshire, England. Additionally, Georg Reepschlager was recorded as living in Freiburg in 1643. Today, the Reepschläger surname can still be found throughout Europe and in other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Reepschläger
- Hanna Reepschläger: a German archer and Olympian who competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
- Anja Reepschläger: a German Classical pianist, music teacher, and lecturer.
- Georg Reepschläger: a German actor who had a role in the comedy film, “ writes Roche” in 2002.
- Sandra Reepschläger: a German long-distance runner and Olympian who competed in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
- Lisa Reepschläger: a German lyric soprano and opera singer who has performed leading roles in operas at various theatres.
- Gerhard Reepschläger: a German Classical pianist and musical director who has been a musical director in Dresden since 1988.
- Werner Reepschläger: a German physicist and geologist who has worked extensively on the analysis of soil and other geological materials.
- Uwe Reepschläger: a German botanist and professor at the University of Giessen.
- Frank Reepschläger: a German football player and manager who played for Borussia Dortmund in the 1960s and 1970s and managed the team from 1974-1976.
- Jürgen Reepschläger: a German zoologist and professor at the University of Konstanz who has done research on the evolutionary biology of animals.