Kaplans

Kaplans is a surname used by several families, most often in Jewish and Turkish-speaking communities. It is typically a pluralized or extended form of Kaplan, a surname with different historical origins depending on the context.

Etymology and origins: The surname Kaplan derives from the German word Kaplan, meaning chaplain, and was adopted by Ashkenazi Jewish populations in Central and Eastern Europe as a surname. In Turkish contexts, Kaplan means tiger, and some families with the surname Kaplans may have Turkish heritage or have adopted the name under Turkish influence. In various languages of Eastern Europe, Kaplans may appear as a plural or variant of Kaplan in genealogical records.

Distribution and usage: Kaplans appears in diaspora communities, notably in Israel and North America, with occurrences in Europe and other regions. The spelling Kaplan is more common overall, while Kaplans is found in some records as well.

Variants and related names: Related names include Kaplan, Caplan, Caplan, Kaplin, and Kaplani, reflecting transliteration and regional spelling differences. The surname can be found with different diacritics in some languages.

Notable people: A number of individuals bearing the surname Kaplans have contributed to various fields; for specific biographies see entries tied to the Kaplan family name in genealogical and biographical records.

See also: Kaplan (surname).