An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Kaplan

by Friedrich Kluge

Kaplan, masculine, ‘chaplain,’ from Middle High German kappellãn,. It is based on Middle Latin capellânus, which originally denoted the priest who had to guard the cloak of St. Martin. — Middle Latin capella also signifies the body of priests under a bishop, hence the other meanings of Modern High German Kapelle.