Surname Knauthe - Meaning and Origin
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Knauthe: What does the surname Knauthe mean?
The last name Knauthe is of German origin. It is an occupational name, referring to a person who was a blacksmith, coming from the German word "Knauf", which means anvil. This surname likely originated in what is now modern-day Germany, in the late middle ages, when the blacksmith profession was still practiced.
The name is commonly found in Old German and is most prevalent in the northern regions of Germany and the Netherlands. It is also found in parts of Poland, Denmark, and the United States, among various other countries. The variation of the name in those regions varies, from Knauf, Knaufen, or Knoefel, to Knauthe.
Knauthe can also be found in various documents and records of the 1700s and 1800s. A good example is the birth record of a baby named Johann Knaufe in Berlin, Germany in 1762.
The overall meaning behind the name Knauthe is quite simple; it refers to a person who was a blacksmith and worked with an anvil. This name would have been adopted in places where the blacksmith profession was needed and common. Even today, records show that the name is still in use.
Order DNA origin analysisKnauthe: Where does the name Knauthe come from?
The last name Knauthe has its origins in Germany. It is a toponymic name, meaning it was derived from the name of a region or town. In this case, the name is derived from a small village located near Blomberg in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The name is also found in the surrounding area.
Today, the surname Knauthe is still quite common in Germany. It is the 141st most common surname, with roughly 28,500 individuals sharing the name. It is most commonly found in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria, particularly around the Ruhr area.
In other parts of Europe, the last name is much less common. According to forebears, only 39 people shared the name in the Czech Republic, 7 in Croatia, and 3 in Hungary.
In the US, the tummiflow of the surname Knauthe is significantly lower. Those who share the name are likely descendants of German immigrants who arrived during the mid to late 19th and early 20th century. As of 2017, only 397 people had the last name throughout the country.
Variations of the surname Knauthe
The surname “Knauthe” has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Knaupp, Knaup, Knaust, Knauth, Knopp, Knopf, Knopfle, Knoph, Knopple, and Knoff.
Knaupp is the oldest known spelling of the surname, and is derived from the German word for “knot” or “twist,” referring to a type of hair style. This would likely have been an occupational name for someone who tied hair or wig.
Knaup is also a German variant of the surname, and is formed by attaching a diminutive suffix onto the name.
The German word “knaust” means “victim” or “prisoner,” which could have been used as a nickname for someone perceived as meek or easily dominated. This variant of the surname is also thought to be derived from “knot.”
Knauth is a Middle High German variant of the surname, and was likely used as a nickname for someone with a short or cropped hairstyle.
Knopp, Knopf, Knopfle and Knoph are all derived from the German word for “button.” These variations of the surname could have been used as occupational names for someone who made buttons.
Knopple is derived from the Middle High German word “knopfle,” which means “bead” or “pearl.” This variant could have been used as an occupational name for someone who crafted beads or buttons.
Finally, Knoff is a Middle High German variation of the surname, and is thought to have been used to describe someone with a “knot-like” hairstyle.
Famous people with the name Knauthe
- Niklas Knauthe: German-born professional hockey player who currently plays in the Bundesliga for Düsseldorfer EG.
- Stephanie Knauthe: German artistic gymnast who competed in the European Championships in 2012.
- Carsten Knauthe: German skeleton racer who competed in the FIBT World Championships in 2011.
- Julian Knauthe: German footballer, currently playing as a defender for SC Regensburg.
- Pia Knauthe: German aikidoka who won bronze medal in the European Open in 2016.
- Christoph Knauthe: German conductor who appeared as a guest conductor at various orchestras throughout Europe.
- Claudia Knauthe: German tennis player who competed at the ITF Women's Circuit.
- Gerd Knauthe: German footballer who played for several clubs in the German Bundesliga.
- Heiner Knauthe: German sculptor and painter who exhibited his artwork in galleries across Europe.
- Johannes Knauthe: German sculptor and draftsman who worked at the court of King Maximilian I of Bavaria.