This German surname of APPELBOOM was originally derived from the word APPEL acquired as a surname in any of various senses. It may originally have been used as a topographic name for someone living by a prominent apple tree or apple orchard, a metonymic occupational name for a grower or seller of apples; or a nickname for someone having bright red cheeks, like an apple. The importance in medieval northern Europe of apples, as a fruit which could be grown in a cold climate and would keep for use throughout the winter is hard to appreciate in these days of easy imports. Surnames derived from placenames are divided into two broad categories; topographic names and habitation names. Topographic names are derived from general descriptive references to someone who lived near a physical feature such as an oak tree, a hill, stream or a church. Habitation names are derived from pre-existing names denoting towns, villages and farmsteads. Other classes of local names include those derived from the names of rivers, individual houses with signs on them, regions and whole countries. The name is also spelt APFELMAN, APFLER, APPLEMAN, APPEL, EPPEL, APPELMANN, EPELMAN, APPELBERG and EPELBAUM. A notable member of the name is Karel Christian APPEL, born in 1921, the Dutch painter. He was educated in Amsterdam at the Royal College of Art. He was one of an influential group of Dutch, Belgian and Danish Expressionists known as 'Cobra'. His work, featuring swirls of brilliant colour and contorted figures has many affinities with American abstract Expressionism, and APPEL is considered to be one of the most powerful exponents of this style of painting. He has had many exhibitions and won many prizes including the UNESCO Prize. |
PURCHASE AN EMAILED JPG  PURCHASE A HISTORY & CREST 
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