Surname Knoke - Meaning and Origin
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Knoke: What does the surname Knoke mean?
The last name Knoke is an occupational surname originating from northern Germany and Holland. It derived from the Middle Dutch word “knoke,” which means “knock,” in reference to someone who worked in a profession which involved striking or hammering objects such as a blacksmith or a carpenter. In some cases, it may have been used to denote someone who was a “knocker-up” – a profession in which an individual would knock on people’s doors or windows in order to wake them for work in the morning.
The name is also found in places such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, although it is rare in those countries. Spelling variations of the surname include Knok, Knocker, Knokk, Knohn, Knohne, Knoek, Knoop, Knubb, and Knüpp.
Knoke is an ancient name, with documented usage as far back as the 12th century in Germany. Records show that a man by the name of Lute Knoke was granted a tax exemption in 1275 near Lübeck, Germany. Later, an official with the same name served at the court of King Albert II in 1332.
Today, the surname Knoke remains popular in the countries where it originated, including Germany and Holland. It can also be found in various other places throughout the world, such as the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisKnoke: Where does the name Knoke come from?
The last name Knoke is believed to have originated from the region of northern Germany along the North Sea coast. Today, people with the surname Knoke can be found in many areas of the world, particularly in Europe and the United States. The United States has the largest population of Knoke's, with ancestry records indicating that nearly 3,000 people with the surname live in the United States. Within the United States, the greatest concentration of Knoke's is located in the Northwestern region.
The state of Wisconsin has the greatest number of Knoke's in the United States, with an estimated 1,000 people living in the state. Other states with notable numbers include Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota; though each of the previous states only have an estimated 200-300 Knoke's. Internationally, a concentration of Knoke's can be found in the Netherlands, where the surname is used more frequently than anywhere else outside of the United States.
The spelling of the surname is a unique feature of Knoke's throughout the world. In addition to the more common variation, "Knoke", there are other variations that can be seen throughout various countries. These alternative spellings include "Knock", "Knöke", "Knocke" and "Knokee". All of these various spellings may be found in various documents such as birth records and census data. That said, the use of all alternative spellings is not extremely common - the bulk of Knoke's stick to the more traditional spelling.
Variations of the surname Knoke
The surname Knoke is derived from the German name “Knoke”. The variants, spellings and alternate surnames of Knoke are as follows:
KNOCK: This is the most common variant spelling of Knoke. This spelling is seen in England and Northern Ireland.
KNOCKS: This is a variant spelling of Knoke. It is commonly used in the United States.
KNOCKERS: Another variant spelling of Knoke, this is mainly seen in the United States.
KNOKE: This is the original German spelling of the surname Knoke.
KNOCKEE: This variant spelling of the surname Knoke is seen in some counties in the United States.
KNAK: This is a Dutch variant spelling of the surname Knoke and is seen mainly in the Netherlands.
KNOCH: This is a variant spelling of the surname Knoke and is seen mainly in Germany.
KNACK: This is the Low German variant spelling of the surname Knoke.
KNOCKEN: This is a variant spelling of the surname Knoke and is seen mainly in Germany.
KNOCKAERT: This is a Flemish variant spelling of the surname Knoke and is seen mainly in Belgium.
KNACKS: This is another variant of the surname Knoke and is seen mainly in Germany.
KNECHT: This is a variant of the surname Knoke and is seen mainly in Germany.
KNAP: This is a variant of the surname Knoke and is seen mainly in Germany.
KNICKENHAFEN: This is a variant of the surname Knoke and is seen mainly in Germany.
KNOKEL: This is a variant of the surname Knoke and is seen mainly in Netherlands.
KNOCKER: This is another variant of the surname Knoke and is seen mainly in the United States.
KNOPP: This is a variant of the surname Knoke and is seen mainly in Germany.
KNOWLES: This is an English variant of the surname Knoke.
The surname Knoke is quite rare, but the various variants of the name have been found in several countries throughout the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Famous people with the name Knoke
- Erich Knoke: German soldier in World War II
- Gerd Knoke: German athlete in the 1964 Olympic Games
- Henning Knoke: German professional cyclist
- Monika Knoke: artist
- Tim Knoke: former American professional basketball player
- Glenda Knoke Uhl: American author
- Thorsten Knoke: German international hockey player
- Ursula Knoke: German politician
- Jens Knoke: German industrial designer
- Inke Knoke: German actress
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "Knoke"
31.12.2023
There is a North Sea-side town in Belgium spelled Knokke. I was told that they pronounce it the same as the German, Ka -nok-a. It appears to be pronounced differently in different parts of the world, however. In northwest Iowa there is a (very) small town named Knoke. There it is pronounced Ka-nok. In Wisconsin, however, it is generally pronounced Ka-nok-e.
31.12.2023
I was told by a Danish woman, many years ago, that the name was pronounced Ka-nok in Denmark. I wonder if there was some Viking connection to the name? Other pronunciations include Nok and Nok-e, but these seem to be common mispronunciations rather than a pronunciation used by someone of that name.