Kaplan is a surname that is of ultimately

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

origins. There is also a historically unrelated surname in Turkey.

History

In European languages

Etymologically, the word originates from the Latin term, ''capellanus'' or ''cappellanus'', an office given to persons appointed to watch over the sacred cloak (cappa or capella) of

St Martin of Tours Martin of Tours ( la, Sanctus Martinus Turonensis; 316/336 – 8 November 397), also known as Martin the Merciful, was the third bishop of Tours. He has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints in France, heralded as the ...

. Its derivations were then found in many other European languages, including Yiddish, German, English, French, Czech, Polish, Norwegian, Croatian, and Hungarian. The French form derived from the old Norman French word "caplain", which gave the old French and medieval English word "chapelain", both meaning "charity priest", who was a priest who was endowed to sing

Mass Mass is an intrinsic property of a body. It was traditionally believed to be related to the quantity of matter in a physical body, until the discovery of the atom and particle physics. It was found that different atoms and different eleme ...

daily on behalf of the souls of the dead. Hence the name is an occupational name for a clergyman or perhaps a servant of one. From there the word and name spread. Modern variations on Kaplan include Caplan, Chaplain, Chapling, Caplen, Copland, Kapelan, and Kaplin.

In Turkish

The name is also very popular in Turkey, where the meaning of Kaplan is

tiger The tiger (''Panthera tigris'') is the largest living cat species and a member of the genus ''Panthera''. It is most recognisable for its dark vertical stripes on orange fur with a white underside. An apex predator, it primarily preys on ...

. When the Turks adopted surnames after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's surname reform, animals as surnames such as lion (Aslan) and tiger (Kaplan) were very common.

Spread

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

the term ''Kaplan'' means ''chaplain'' or ''curate''. The word is extant in other languages as well, for example in

Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles Poles,, ; singular masculine: ''Polak'', singular feminine: ''Polka'' or Polish people, are a West Slavic nation and ethnic group, w ...

where the term ''kapłan'' translates as ''priest'', in Hungarian 'káplán' means a priest of the royal court or that of an aristocrat; in

Norwegian Norwegian, Norwayan, or Norsk may refer to: *Something of, from, or related to Norway, a country in northwestern Europe * Norwegians, both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway * Demographics of Norway *The Norwegian language, including ...

where it also has the meaning of priest while retaining the original, elongated form. Kaplan or Caplan is also a surname common among

Ashkenazi Jews Ashkenazi Jews ( ; he, יְהוּדֵי אַשְׁכְּנַז, translit=Yehudei Ashkenaz, ; yi, אַשכּנזישע ייִדן, Ashkenazishe Yidn), also known as Ashkenazic Jews or ''Ashkenazim'',, Ashkenazi Hebrew pronunciation: , singu ...

, usually indicating descent from the priestly lineage (the

kohanim Kohen ( he, , ''kōhēn'', , "priest", pl. , ''kōhănīm'', , "priests") is the Hebrew word for "priest", used in reference to the Aaronic priesthood, also called Aaronites or Aaronides. Levitical priests or ''kohanim'' are traditionally be ...

), similar to the etymological origin of the common

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

surname '' Cohen''. One of the earliest modern records of Kaplan as a family name is that of Abraham Kaplan in 1698. Distinguished bearers of the name include the Polish rabbi and philanthropist Nachum ben Usiel Kaplan (1811–1879), the Latvian-born Hebrew poet (1826–1887) and the

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...

n-born

Zionist Zionism ( he, צִיּוֹנוּת ''Tsiyyonut'' after '' Zion'') is a nationalist movement that espouses the establishment of, and support for a homeland for the Jewish people centered in the area roughly corresponding to what is known in Je ...

workers' leader

Eliezer Kaplan Eliezer Kaplan ( he, אליעזר קפלן; be, Эліэзер Каплан; ) was a Zionist activist, Israeli politician, one of the signatories of the Israeli declaration of independence and the country's first Minister of Finance and Deputy ...

(1891–1952), the first

minister of finance A finance minister is an executive or cabinet position in charge of one or more of government finances, economic policy and financial regulation. A finance minister's portfolio has a large variety of names around the world, such as "treasury", " ...

of the State of

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

.What's in a name? Kaplan
at JewishGen.org

People named Kaplan

* Abraham Kaplan, philosopher * Abraham Kohen Kaplan, writer * Alice Kaplan, American literary critic, translator, historian, and educator *

Anatoli Lvovich Kaplan Anatoli Lvovich Kaplan (russian: Анатолий Львович Каплан, yi, תנחום קאפלאן), (1902 – 1980) was a Soviet-era Russian painter, sculptor and printmaker, whose works often reflect his Jewish origins. Life Kap ...

, Russian artist and painter *

Andreas Kaplan Andreas Marcus Kaplan (born October 5, 1977) is Professor of Marketing at the ESCP Business School. He is specialized in the areas of social media, viral marketing, and the digital world in general. Life Kaplan was born on October 5, 1977, and ...

, German professor of marketing *

Anna Kaplan Anna Kaplan (née Monahemi) (born August 23, 1965) is an American politician from Great Neck, New York. A Democrat, she was a member of the New York State Senate, representing New York's 7th State Senate district, which runs from the North Shor ...

, American politician * Arie Kaplan, writer *

Artie Kaplan Artie Kaplan is an American recording artist, songwriter and a session musician. He has also been a music contractor where he was hired to musicians for sessions. In the 1960s, he was casting musicians for sessions for Aldon Music. When musicia ...

, American recording artist, songwriter and a session musician *

Aryeh Kaplan Aryeh Moshe Eliyahu Kaplan ( he, אריה משה אליהו קפלן; October 23, 1934 – January 28, 1983) was an American Orthodox rabbi, author, and translator, best known for his Living Torah edition of the Torah. He became well known as ...

, rabbi * Avriel Kaplan, former bass singer in the a cappella group Pentatonix * Avrohom Eliyahu Kaplan, Lithuanian rabbi * Ben Caplan, Canadian folk musician * Billy Kaplan, fictional superhero from

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...

* Bob Kaplan, Canadian politician *

Bruce Eric Kaplan Bruce Eric Kaplan (born }) is an American cartoonist whose single-panel cartoons frequently appear in ''The New Yorker''. His cartoons are known for their signature simple style and often dark humor. Kaplan is also a screenwriter and has worked ...

* Cary Kaplan, sports marketer *

David Kaplan (radio) David Kaplan is an American columnist, radio and television personality who currently co-hosts ''Kap and J. Hood'' weekday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. CST on ESPN 1000. He is the host of Unfiltered with David Kaplan on NBC Sp ...

* David E. Kaplan (author) *

David Kaplan (philosopher) David Benjamin Kaplan (; born September 17, 1933) is an American philosopher. He is the Hans Reichenbach Professor of Scientific Philosophy at the UCLA Department of Philosophy. His philosophical work focuses on the philosophy of language, logic, ...

* David L. Kaplan *

Dena Kaplan Dena Amy Kaplan (born 20 January 1989) is a South African-born Australian actress, singer, dancer, and DJ. She is best known for her role as Abigail Armstrong in ''Dance Academy''. Life and career Kaplan was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. ...

, actress, DJ and singer *

Dovid Kaplan Dovid Kaplan is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, kiruv educator, author, and speaker. He is known for his inspirational and humorous storytelling both in his international speaking engagements and in his ''Impact!'' series of books. Early life and educa ...

, senior lecturer at Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem, popular author and speaker *

Edgar Kaplan Edgar Kaplan (April 18, 1925 – September 7, 1997) was an American bridge player and one of the principal contributors to the game. His career spanned six decades and covered every aspect of bridge. He was a teacher, author, editor, administrator, ...

(1925–1997), American bridge player *

Edith Kaplan Edith F. Kaplan (February 16, 1924 – September 3, 2009) was an American psychologist. She was a pioneer of neuropsychological tests and did most of her work at the Boston VA Hospital. Kaplan is known for her promotion of clinical neuropsycholo ...

, lead creator of a neuropsychological test battery *

Elaine D. Kaplan Elaine Debra Kaplan (born December 18, 1955) is the Federal tribunals in the United States#Article I tribunals, chief judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims. She served as General Counsel of the United States Office of Personnel Manage ...

, judge *

, Israeli politician *

Fanni Kaplan Fanny Efimovna Kaplan (russian: Фа́нни Ефи́мовна Капла́н, links=no; real name Feiga Haimovna Roytblat, ; February 10, 1890 – September 3, 1918) was a Ukrainian Jewish woman, Socialist-Revolutionary, and early Soviet dissi ...

Fanny Kaplan Fanny Efimovna Kaplan (russian: Фа́нни Ефи́мовна Капла́н, links=no; real name Feiga Haimovna Roytblat, ; February 10, 1890 – September 3, 1918) was a Ukrainian Jewish woman, Socialist-Revolutionary, and early Soviet dissi ...

(Feiga Haimovna Roytblat), Russian revolutionary and attempted assassin of Lenin * Felix Kaplan (1897–1989), American businessman and politician * Fred Kaplan (biographer) *

Fred Kaplan (journalist) Fred M. Kaplan (born July 4, 1954) is an American author and journalist. His weekly "War Stories" column for ''Slate'' magazine covers international relations and U.S. foreign policy. Biography Kaplan was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Julius ...

Gabe Kaplan Gabriel Weston Kaplan (born March 31, 1945) is an American actor, comedian, and professional poker player. He played the eponymous teacher in the 1970s sitcom ''Welcome Back, Kotter''. He later became a professional poker player and a commenta ...

, Actor, comedian, poker player * Gilbert Kaplan (1941–2016), American businessman, journalist and conductor * Gilbert B. Kaplan, American attorney and government official *

Gisela Kaplan Gisela Kaplan is an Australians, Australian ethologist who primarily specialises in ornithology and primatology. She is a professor emeritus in animal behaviour at the University of New England (Australia), University of New England, Australia ...

, Australian sociologist and author * Gregory Kaplan, American historian *

Hamit Kaplan Hamit Kaplan (20 September 1934 – 5 January 1976) was a Turkish World and Olympic champion sports wrestler of Circassian descent in the Heavyweight class. He won the gold, silver and bronze medal in men's ...

, former Turkish wrestler * Harold Irwin Kaplan, American psychiatrist * Harold S. Kaplan, Canadian architect * Howard Kaplan, American singer better known by his stage name of

Howard Kaylan Howard Kaylan (born Howard Lawrence Kaplan, June 22, 1947) is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member and lead singer of the 1960s rock band The Turtles, and, along with bandmate and friend Mark Volman, a member of ...

* Hyman Kaplan, fictional character created by Leo Rosten *

Ira Kaplan Ira Kaplan (born January 7, 1957) is a co-founder, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter in the American indie rock band Yo La Tengo. He is married to the band's co-founder Georgia Hubley. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, Kaplan formed Yo La T ...

, musician * Irving Kaplan (chemist), MIT professor *

James Kaplan James C. Kaplan, Jr. (born September 10, 1951) is an American novelist, journalist, and biographer. Biography He was born in New York City and grew up in rural Pennsylvania and suburban New Jersey. He matriculated at New York University and grad ...

* Jeffrey Kaplan, game designer * Jon Kaplan, multiple people *

Jonathan Kaplan Jonathan Kaplan (born November 25, 1947) is an American film producer and director. His film ''The Accused'' (1988) earned actress Jodie Foster an Oscar for Best Actress and was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 39th Berlin International ...

, American film producer *

, rugby referee * Jozef Kapláň, Slovak association football player * Juliette Kaplan (1939–2019), British actress * Justin Daniel "Joe" Kaplan (1925–2014), American writer and editor * Karel Kaplan, Czech historian * Louis Kaplan ("Kid Kaplan"), Russian-born US world champion featherweight Hall of Fame boxer * Kivie Kaplan *

Kyle Kaplan Kyle or Kyles may refer to: Places Canada * Kyle, Saskatchewan, Canada Ireland * Kyle, County Laois * Kyle, County Wexford Scotland * Kyle, Ayrshire, area of Scotland which stretched across parts of modern-day East Ayrshire and South Ayrshir ...

, American actor * Lance Kaplan, American engineer *

Marty Kaplan Martin Kaplan (born August 21, 1950) is an American professor. He teaches at the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism and is the founding director of the Norman Lear Center for the study of the impact of entertainment on society ...

Mehmet Kaplan Mehmet Güner Kaplan (born 18 July 1971) is a Swedish politician of Turkish origin who served as Minister for Housing and Urban Development from 2014 to 2016. He is a member of the Swedish Green Party. Kaplan resigned from the Cabinet after co ...

, Turkish-born Swedish politician *

Melissa Kaplan Universal Hall Pass is a one-person band formed in 2001 by Melissa R. Kaplan, formerly of Splashdown. Universal Hall Pass's only full-length album, ''Mercury'', was released in 2004, featuring eleven songs. In December, 2006, UHP released a six-s ...

, musician/singer with Splashdown and Universal Hall Pass * Melvin Kaplan, oboist and founder of the Vermont Mozart Festival *

Metin Kaplan Metin Kaplan (born 14 November 1952) is the leader of the Islamic extremist movement ''Kalifatsstaat'' (" Caliphate State") which is based in Cologne, Germany. Kalifatsstaat Kaplan was born in the Turkish province of Erzurum. Kaplan, who was ...

* Michael Kaplan, American biologist * Michael Kaplan, American costume designer * Michel Kaplan, French Byzantinist *

Mordecai Kaplan Mordecai Menahem Kaplan (born Mottel Kaplan; June 11, 1881 – November 8, 1983), was a Lithuanian-born American rabbi, writer, Jewish educator, professor, theologian, philosopher, activist, and religious leader who founded the Reconstructionist ...

, Rabbi, founder of Reconstructionist branch of Judaism * Morton Kaplan * Murat Kaplan *

Nachum Kaplan Reb Menachem Nachum ben Uzziel Kaplan (1811 – October 25, 1879) was a Lithuanian Talmudist, philanthropist,Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography: *Gurvich, in ''Razsvyct'', 1879, No. 7; *Lipshitz, ''Nekrolog Rabbi Nokhim iz Grodno'' (reprinted from ...

, preacher and philanthropist * Nathan Kaplan, American gangster * Nathan J. Kaplan, American jurist and politician * Nathan O. Kaplan, American biochemist *

Neil Kaplan Neil Charles Kaplan is an American voice actor, audiobook narrator, entertainer, and comedian. Biography Kaplan got his start as a comedian doing impressions of presidents such as Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon. He also impersonated a little- ...

, American voice actor, audiobook narrator, entertainer and comedian * Nelly Kaplan, writer and film maker * Nomi Kaplan (born 1933), Lithuanian-Canadian photographer and artist *

Ori Kaplan }, born October 1, 1969) is an Israeli jazz saxophonist and a music producer. He moved to the United States in 1991. He has worked with many artists including Shotnez Tom Abbs, Firewater, Gogol Bordello, and Balkan Beat Box (of which he is a fou ...

, Israeli jazz saxophonist and a music producer * Perrin Kaplan * Philip J. Kaplan * Randall Kaplan, American businessman and investor *

Robert D. Kaplan Robert David Kaplan (born June 23, 1952) is an American author. His books are on politics, primarily foreign affairs, and travel. His work over three decades has appeared in ''The Atlantic'', ''The Washington Post'', ''The New York Times'', ''The ...

, American journalist * Robert S. Kaplan, business school professor * Ron Kaplan, Israeli Olympic gymnast *Sam Kaplan, author of '' The Pedagogical State'' * Sam Kaplan (American football) (1898–1931), American football player * Samuel L. Kaplan (born 1936), American diplomat * Şeydanur Kaplan (born 2000), Turkish female goalball player * Stanley Kaplan, founder of Kaplan, Inc. * Steve Kaplan *

Thomas Kaplan Thomas Scott Kaplan (born September 14, 1962) is an American billionaire businessman, philanthropist and art collector. Kaplan is the world's largest private collector of Rembrandt's works. Kaplan is the chairman and chief investment officer of ...

(b 1962), American investor and philanthropist * Tomáš Kaplan, Czech footballer * Valery Kaplan (born 1943), Soviet speed skater * Viktor Kaplan, inventor of the Kaplan turbine * Yıldız Kaplan, Turkish model and pop singer *

Yisrael Mendel Kaplan Israel or Yisrael Mendel Kaplan (April 14, 1913 – April 4, 1985), known as "Reb Mendel" was an American Orthodox Jewish rabbi and author. He was best known as a teacher in the Hebrew Theological College of Chicago and the Talmudical Yeshiva o ...

References