Interesting that you would have that impression. Rippetoe is an old French name, probable spelling Ribbedeau, Rippeteau, Ropiteau, or some variant thereof. Our single (best anyone can tell) immigrant came to this continent in the late 1600s fleeing the Huguenot situation. My 4-great grandfather was in the Revolutionary War, and was in fact in George Washington's personal guard. Or so I have it from reliable genealogists.