Surname Kniesly - Meaning and Origin

Kniesly: What does the surname Kniesly mean?

The last name Kniesly is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word knies (“knee”). The surname is thought to have initially been given to a person who lived close to a “knee”-shaped bend in a river or other body of water. Over time, the name has come to mean one who is related to or has knobby knees.

In some cases, the name may have been an occupational surname given to a leg smith – someone who specialized in making armor and weapons for knights, or a kneeler, which was an individual who performed a specific task to help those who needed assistance.

In more modern times, the surname Kniesly is used as a description of somebody who is apt at wielding power and influence in the face of adversity. This is arguably due to the strong, physical form that one would assume when taking a knee to decide an important matter.

Ultimately, the surname Kniesly carries with it a sense of strength, tenacity and resilience. Those with the name often share a knack for dealing with difficult situations and standing firm against opposition.

Kniesly: Where does the name Kniesly come from?

The last name Kniesly is quite common in the United States today. It is particularly most prevalent in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Indiana. The earliest records of the name date back to the 1800s in Pennsylvania and Maryland, where many of the Kniesly family settled. As of 2020, nearly 2000 people in the United States carry the Kniesly name.

The Kniesly name has its roots in Germany, though there is some debate surrounding the origin of the name. The German version is either Kniesli or Knesli, both of which mean “small wooded area”. This could be a reference to a family’s origin, much like the family moniker “de Rioux,” which literally translates as “from the river.”

The 1960 U.S. Census records lists Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Indiana as the places with the highest concentration of Kniesly families. The most popular place for this surname to be found is still in areas densely populated by people of German descent.

Today, the last name Kniesly is still widely found in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Indiana. Immigrant families tend to carry their surname with pride, and the name is often adopted by many generations to come. People in the US may even find the Kniesly name still common in other areas, albeit in much smaller numbers, due to marriage and migration.

Variations of the surname Kniesly

Kniesly is an occupational surname which has many spelling variations and is widely used in many countries. The spellings of the name include Knisely, Kneisly, Kniesley, Knisley, Kneisley, Kneesly, Knowlesly, Knollysly, Knowlesey, Kneesely and Knowlesy. It originated from the Middle English word "knies," meaning "knave" or "servant."

The variants of this surname are used in multiple countries, as well as states in the United States. Common variants in the United States would include Knowlesly, Knollysly and Kneesely. In the United Kingdom, Knisely, Kneisly, Kniesley, Knisley and Kneisley are prevalent. Parts of Europe such as Austria use Kniesly as a surname as well as in other countries around the world such as Slovakia, Romania, and parts of Scotland.

This surname is likely derived from the Old French "knave," which was a medieval rank relating to a knight's servant or squire. This rank was often given to someone of lesser noble blood within nobility, and the surname was likely passed on through generations of those who had this rank.

It has also been theorized that the surname may have come from a derivative of a Germanic first name such as Knut (known in some regions as Knesly), meaning "brave" and originating from the Old Norse "knutr" meaning "knot," implying a knot-maker.

Though the origins of the surname are unclear, many people who share this surname have strong roots throughout the English-speaking world. No matter how it is spelled, the surname is recognizable as derived from the same source.

Famous people with the name Kniesly

• Emma Kniesly: Emma Kniesly is a German ballerina and renown social media influencer. She is best known for her performance in the German ballet, Der Nussknacker.
• Ian Kniesly: Ian Kniesly is a Canadian composer who was awarded the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in 2018 for his body of work. His works include soundtracks for plays, films, and television shows.
• Tony Kniesly: Tony Kniesly is a American instructor, author, and diver. He is best known for his work in ocean exploration and for writing books about his underwater encounters.
• Liza Kniesly: Liza Kniesly is a American artist, primarily known for her bold, abstract paintings. She often incorporates text into her works and her work has been exhibited internationally.
• Carson Kniesly: Carson Kniesly is a Canadian lawyer and corporate executive. Previous to his current position, he was a Partner at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP in the Business Law Group.
• Arthur Kniesly: Arthur Kniesly is a British shire horse specialist and breeder. He breeds and cares for traditional Shire Horses and is also involved in wildlife conservation efforts.
• Tristan Kniesly: Tristan Kniesly is an American actor, best known for his role in the television series Chicago Fire. He also has starred in films such as The Avengers and Iron Man 3.
• Alex Kniesly: Alex Kniesly is a American entrepreneur and television producer. He co-founded a production company which has created television shows for networks such as NBC, and has won or been nominated for 19 Emmy awards.

Other surnames

Kniesley