Lachapelle is a French surname meaning "the chapel" (from French la chapelle). It is a topographic surname, most likely used to denote a person who lived by a church or a chapel. The name originated as a habitational name for someone who lived near or worked at a chapel, or as a locational surname for someone from a place called La Chapelle.
The surname is closely related to the variant Chaplin in English and French, as well as to Capella in Catalan, Kappel in German, Capela in Portuguese, and Capilla in Spanish — all ultimately derived from the Latin word capella meaning "chapel."
According to the 2010 United States Census, Lachapelle ranked 11,257th in frequency among surnames, with 2,808 bearers, and was most common among White individuals (84.29%). The name is more prevalent in Canada, particularly in Quebec, where French surnames are prominent.
- Meaning: "the chapel" (topographic/habitational)
- Origin: French
- Type: Surname
- Usage regions: France, French Canada (especially Quebec), United States
- Related forms: Chaplin, Capella, Kappel, Capela, Capilla
Sources: Wiktionary — Lachapelle