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![Show Contents]() Traper History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany
From the historical and enchanting region of Austria emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Traper family. Originally, the Austrian people were known only by a single name. The process by which hereditary surnames were adopted in Austria is extremely interesting. Surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Often they adopted names that were derived from nicknames. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The name Traper is a nickname type of surname for an impish troublemaker having derived from the German word trappe, meaning rogue. Early Origins of the Traper familyThe surname Traper was first found in the Austrian province of Styria, moving later to Tyrol, where the name became noted for its many branches with the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied and enrolled by the princes of the region. They possessed their family seat Trappenburg in the region of Leutschbach since ancient times. In their later history the name became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family. Chronicles first mention Hans Trapp of Stetbach in 1388, and Cuncz Trap of Wuerzburg in 1409. Early History of the Traper familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Traper research. Another 295 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1655, 1691, 1709, 1762 and 1819 are included under the topic Early Traper History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Traper Spelling VariationsIn the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Traper include Trapp, Trap, Trappe, Trapper, Traper, Trappl and many more. Early Notables of the Traper familyMore information is included under the topic Early Traper Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Traper familyAfter the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Traper were Joseph Trapp, who settled in Philadelphia in 1859; and Heinrich Trappe, who settled in Texas in 1843.
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