kapp

Kapp is a surname of German origin. It is thought to derive from the German word kapp(e) meaning cap or hood, and likely originated as a nickname for someone who wore a distinctive cap or as an occupational name for a hat maker or seller. The name is found in German-speaking regions and has spread to other countries through migration, becoming part of the surname diversity in Europe and the Americas.

The most notable historical use of the name is its association with the Kapp Putsch, a failed coup attempt in 1920 during the early Weimar Republic. Led by Wolfgang Kapp, a conservative journalist and civil servant, along with General Walther von Lüttwitz, the plan sought to overthrow the democratic government and install an autocratic regime. The coup collapsed after a general strike and a lack of broad political and civil support, preventing it from achieving its aims.

In contemporary contexts, Kapp remains a surname carried by individuals in various countries, particularly among those with German heritage. Like many surnames of German origin, its distribution today reflects historical migration patterns and diaspora communities. The term does not denote a specific concept beyond the name itself, though its most prominent historical association is with the 1920 Kapp Putsch.