Explore the Family Name Kappel
The meaning of Kappel
1. German, Danish, and Dutch: topographic name for a person living near a chapel, from Middle High German kap(p)elle, kappel ‘chapel’. This is a loanword from Late Latin cap(p)ella, a diminutive of cappa ‘hooded cloak’, the first building to be so called having housed a cloak that reputedly belonged to Saint Martin of Tours. Compare Cappel. 2. German and Dutch: habitational name from a place called with Middle High German kappel ‘chapel’, of which there are many examples in southern Germany (in the north mostly Cappel). This surname (in both possible senses; see also 1 above) is also found in France (Alsace and Lorraine). Compare Cappel. 3. German (Käppel): diminutive of Kapp. Some characteristic forenames: German Otto, Hans, Kurt, Alois, Franz, Friedrich, Viktor.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Kappel in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Kappel has seen a significant increase in the United States. In the year 2000, Kappel was ranked 11,795th in terms of prevalence among surnames, but by 2010 it had moved up to the 11,073rd position. This represents a 6.12% change in rank. The count of individuals with this surname also increased from 2,432 in 2000 to 2,869 in 2010, a rise of nearly 18%. The proportion of the population with this surname per 100,000 people also increased by 7.78%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #11,795 | #11,073 | 6.12% |
| Count | 2,432 | 2,869 | 17.97% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.9 | 0.97 | 7.78% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Kappel
As for the ethnic identity associated with the Kappel surname, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data, there has been some fluctuation between the years 2000 and 2010. The largest proportion of people with this surname identify as White, although this percentage decreased slightly from 96.3% in 2000 to 94.39% in 2010. There has been an increase in those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander, moving from 0.58% in 2000 to 1.36% in 2010. There was also a small increase in those who identify as having two or more races and those identifying as Hispanic. No individuals with the Kappel surname identified as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either 2000 or 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 96.3% | 94.39% | -1.98% |
| Hispanic | 1.81% | 1.99% | 9.94% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.58% | 1.36% | 134.48% |
| Two or More Races | 0.99% | 1.29% | 30.3% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |