Surname Knaven - Meaning and Origin
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Knaven: What does the surname Knaven mean?
The surname Knaven is a Dutch surname that originated from Holland and is derived from a baptismal name that means “son of Knappe,” a Germanic element meaning "smart" or "clever". It is an occupational name derived from the old Dutch word "knapen" meaning “craftsman” or “artisan” and was likely first used to describe one who worked with wood, metal, leather or cloth.
The earliest known bearer of this name was Vrederic Knaven in 1299, who as mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, was a tenant of Bishop of Ely. The Knaven name has spread throughout Europe, and can be found in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the United States.
In addition to serving as both a first and a last name, the Knaven surname is also used as a patronymic form. This means that it appears in hence form such as Knavensteen or Knavengraaf, which indicate a greater degree of respect for the family.
Throughout history, Knaven has also been a noble name, with many heraldic symbols associated with the family. The main symbols of Knaven are a crowned crowned eagle, a shield, and a plume. Each of these symbols are used to represent the noble and distinguished origins of the Knaven family.
In conclusion, the surname Knaven is a Dutch surname that originated from Holland, and is derived from a baptismal name meaning “son of Knappe”. It is a noble and distinguished surname, with a strong historical significance and many heraldic symbols showing its noble origins.
Order DNA origin analysisKnaven: Where does the name Knaven come from?
The surname Knaven is most commonly found in the Netherlands today. It is particularly common in the western provinces of Gelderland and North Brabant as well as the eastern province of Overijssel.
Knaven likely originated out of the Dutch verb knaven, meaning "to regret". As such, the Knaven family originated from people with this last name who showed regret or sorrow for something they had done.
Knaven is also a fairly rare name by international standards. It is thought to be mainly confined to the Netherlands, where only about 500 people with the surname Knaven currently live. However, there are a few places outside of the Netherlands which house an even smaller number of this family's descendants.
The Netherlands, and especially the western provinces of Gelderland and North Brabant, continues to be the stronghold for the last name Knaven. Residents there who share the last name are descendants of a common ancestor who likely chose to take this surname back in the Middle Ages.
Anyone interested in connecting with other Knavens today can search online or look into joining the Knaven Family Association, an organization based in Groningen which helps promote the family name and helps its members remain connected to one another.
Variations of the surname Knaven
The surname Knaven originated in the Netherlands and is most frequently found in that area. The variants and spellings include Knavenhues, Knavens, Knavenhusen, Kneven, Knevenhues, and Knevenhus. Some of these spellings are difficult to find due to the various dialects spoken in the Netherlands over time.
The Dutch language has seen many spelling reforms over the years, and as a result, the surname has seen many different variants. The most commonly used variants of the Knaven surname are Knaven and Kneven. It is believed that the spelling of Knaven comes from the Dutch words "knevelen", meaning "to throttle", or "knaab," meaning "lad, servant."
The Knaven surname has been passed down through families for generations, but many cognates can also be found throughout Europe. In Germany, some variants of the surname include Knoven, Kneven, Knovenhausen, Knovenhusen, and Knavenhausen. In Poland, some variants include Knoven and Knaven. Additionally, in France, variations such as Cnave, Cnaven, Cnavene, and Knavene can be found.
The surname Knaven may have been used in various forms through migration, creating several varieties of the same name. The most widely used variant is Knaven, making the remaining variants of this surname harder to trace through history. Regardless, the original form of the surname is believed to have come from the Netherlands and it has since spread around the world to a variety of countries.
Famous people with the name Knaven
- Servais Knaven: Former Dutch professional road bicycle racer, winner of the Paris-Roubaix race in 2001.
- Arjen Knaven: Cyclist, winner of Tour of Britain 2006 and Tour of Hainan 2012.
- Robert Knaven: Professional road racing cyclist, member of Lotto-Jumbo Cycling Team.
- Alexandra Knaven: Dutch long-distance runner, participant in European and World Cross Country Championships.
- Louis Knaven: Dutch chess player and composer of more than 500 chess problems.
- Jan Knaven: Goalkeeper for Dutch professional soccer team, Twente Enschede.
- Hugo Knaven: Professional road racing cyclist, member of Lotto-Jumbo Cycling Team.
- Martijn Knaven: Cyclist, winner of Amstel Gold Race in 2004.
- Anna Knaven: Dancer, choreographer, and teacher who has appeared in music videos and tours internationally.
- Lukas Knaven: Dutch defender, member of soccer team NAC Breda.