Surname Appelhans - Meaning and Origin

Appelhans: What does the surname Appelhans mean?

Appelhans is a German surname derived from the Dutch words "Appel" meaning apple and "Hans" meaning John. Its literal translation is “John the apple-farmer” or “John who harvests apples.”

Appelhans was first recorded in the beer-producing town of Osnabrück in northwestern Germany, which the Applehanze in 600 AD. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was likely an apple farmer and probably served as a local landlord. The Applehanze people were also known to be an example of Frisian-Holland cultural blending.

The surname Appelhans has spread through Germany and to other countries around the world over many centuries. It’s often found in the cities of Berlin, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart. It’s also found in the United States states of California, Minnesota, Oregon, and Illinois, as well as in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Today, the Appelhans name continues to be an important part of genealogical research as it documents the family’s history and heritage. It is a reminder that Appelhans roots are deeply rooted in the German language and culture.

Appelhans: Where does the name Appelhans come from?

Appelhans is a German surname derived from the occupational name "Appelhane", or apple- dealer, and is most commonly found in Germany today. Appelhans is predominantly found in the German states of Nordrhein- Westfalen and Bayern. It is also a common surname in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and the United States.

In the United States, Appelhans is found primarily in the East Coast states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia. It is also present in the Midwest, particularly in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

Appelhans is a relatively uncommon surname in the United States, ranking 8,365th nationally according to the 2000 U.S. Census. This is in contrast to its popularity in Germany, where it is ranked 601st nationally.

Though Appelhans may not be a common name today, its historic background provides a glimpse into the life of the Appelhans family. Not only is it a reminder of the tradition and culture of the German people, but it also tells a story of the family's occupation in the distant past, when the use of the apple was a major part of a local economy. The Appelhans family was likely involved in selling apples in the marketplaces of the time, something that was both interesting and typical of everyday life in rural Germany.

Variations of the surname Appelhans

The surname Appelhans is one of German origin and has many variants and spellings. The primary spelling is Appelhans, but variations can also include Appelhanz, Appelhens, Appelhensz, Appelhansz, Apfelhausen, Apfelhans, Apfelhaus, and Appelahoven.

The meaning of the name was derived from the German world "Apfel," meaning apple, and "Hans" which means God is Gracious. This suggests that the surname is a patronymic name, which is one created from the name of the father or male line ancestor, in this case "Hans."

Mapelhans is the variant of the Appelhans name most commonly seen in the Netherlands, as the Dutch language is responsible for some of the names many variants. Other Dutch variants include Appelhoen and Appelhoven.

Appelhanz is a variant that has been seen in the United States, as well as in Germany and Austria. Apfelhaus and Apfelhausen are two other German variants of Appelhans.

Variants of the name can also be found elsewhere throughout Europe. For example, definitions of the name Appelhans in France include Appehans, Apfelhan, Appel audible, Appelhof, Appelf, Appelhood, Appelhoft, and Appelhoud. Some Irish variations include Applehan, Applehayn, Applehanse, Applen, Applehanz, Appelhyne, Applehine, Appelhans, and Applegans.

The name Appelhans has endured throughout many centuries, with a variety of spellings and variants. While the spelling of the name may have changed over time, its origin and meaning remain the same—grace of God.

Famous people with the name Appelhans

• Barbara Appelhans: American recording artist and member of the a cappella group Vocal Point.
• Marc Appelhans: Belgian professional cyclist who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.
• Stan Appelhans: Swiss painter, sculptor, and illustrator known for his book illustrations.
• Albert Appelhans: Dutch physician and explorer, known for his travels to Surinam.
• Nicholas Appelhans: American actor, writer, producer and director known for his film, The Resurrection Game.
• Johannes Appelhans: German composer and conductor of the late Baroque and early Classical period.
• Max Appelhans: Austrian composer and recording artist who composed the musicalUTION, based on the folk tale Hans im Glück.
• Ludwig Appelhans: German art director and production designer who is best known for designing sets for films such as The Bridge at Remagen.
• Cornelius Appelhans: Dutch painter of still lifes, marine paintings, and landscapes.
• Gottfried Appelhans: German classical archaeologist and classical philologist who specialized in the investigation of archaeological artefacts of the Roman period.
• Wolfgang Appelhans: German mathematician known for his work in the mathematical fields of dynamic programming, numerical mathematics, and optimization.
• Johann Appelhans: German sculptor, painter, and illustrator who worked mainly in England.
• Christoph Appelhans: German professor of law, author, and politician during the mid-19th century.
• Eugen Appelhans: Austrian architect, illustrator, and town planner known for his work in Vienna, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Munich.
• Hans Appelhans: German painter mainly of religious subjects who is best known for his works in the Elbe-Weser region.

Other surnames

AppelhannsAppelhanz