Surname Knörl - Meaning and Origin

Knörl: What does the surname Knörl mean?

The last name Knörl is an old German surname, derived from the Middle High German word knor(e), meaning a gnarled, knobbed or twisted tree. This surname and its variations, such as Knorle, Knöre, Knorr, Knorren and Knörrle may have been used to describe someone from a place known for its gnarled/twisted trees or someone who had that type of tree growing on or near their home. This type of name was fairly common in the Middle Ages, particularly in the northern parts of Germany, indicating some movement, spread and evolvement of certain last names.

Furthermore, the played an important role in genealogical and historical research. Researchers often found familiarity with certain regions due to surnames being concentrated in particular locations. Further study of families with the surname Knörl would help to detect the population movements across different parts of Germany over several centuries, especially in the Middle Ages.

The last name Knörl possibly originated from a location, which may have been the location of some knotted, twisted or gnarled trees, likely in the north of Germany. Alternatively, it may also relate to the physical attributes of a single person, such as having a knotted or twisted appearance.

In conclusion, the last name Knörl is likely to be an old German surname, which may have been derived from a place inhabited by knotted or twisted trees or a person's physical attributes. It was common in the northern parts of Germany in the Middle Ages and offers an interesting insight into the evolution of German surnames and the movement of people across regions.

Knörl: Where does the name Knörl come from?

The last name Knörl is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is believed to be of Germanic origin, dating back to the 15th century. It is thought to refer to a person with a strong-willed or stubborn nature, derived from the German word "knurren", meaning "grumble". Today, Knörl is a relatively uncommon last name due to the fact that it is primarily concentrated within a small area of Germanic-speaking areas.

In Germany, the most concentrated population of Knörls is found in Bavaria, while in Austria the greatest numbers are located in Vienna and throughout the northeast. The most densely populated area in Switzerland is the area of Basel, with a particularly high concentration in the canton of Aargau.

Due to immigration, there are slightly greater numbers of Knörls that have spread to other countries around the world. Today, there are small pockets of Knörls found in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and France.

The Knörl family is an integral part of German-speaking culture and as such, are found in many works of literature, television shows, films, and music. The name remains a staple of the region and a recognizable identifier of German-speaking heritage.

Variations of the surname Knörl

The surname Knörl has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variant of the surname is Knörrl. This spelling is more popular in Germany, and it is the original spelling that evolved from the original spelling of Knörl.

Other variants include Knurrle, Knorrel, Knürrl, Knörrle and Knürrle. These spellings are more common in Austria and/or Switzerland.

Knoerrler is another variant of the surname. This spelling is used mainly in the United States and Canada and is an example of Americanization of the surname.

Knørl is a variant used in Norway, while the surname is also spelled Knoerl in The Netherlands.

Other surnames of the same origin as Knörl include Knaur, Knauer, Knauerhase, Knauhase, and Knaup. They all evolved from the pseudo-patronymic use of Knörrl, which was derived from the name Knörle, an archaic German name.

Knörrl is sometimes confused with the surname Knöll which, although of similar pronunciation, is in fact of a completely different origin.

Famous people with the name Knörl

• Mike Knörl: Austrian Nordic combined skier
• Maria Knörl: German track and field athlete
• Johannes Knörl: German Olympic kayaker
• Tessa Knörl: German operatic soprano
• Jonathan Knörl: American diver
• Ralph Knörl: German rugby union player
• Benedikt Knörl: German former professional footballer
• Manfred Knörl: former West German bobsledder
• Kurt Knörl: German former skeleton racer
• Max Knörl: Swiss international swimmer
• Heinz Knörl: German race car driver
• Günter Knörl: German former footballer
• Andi Knörl: German adventure athlete
• Mark Knörl: American Olympic volleyball player
• Steffi Knörl: German rollerblader
• Ilona Knörl: German ice dancer
• Andrea Knörl: German former competitive figure skater
• Vanessa Knörl: German sports shooter
• Ellen Knörl: Austrian ice hockey player
• Monika Knörl: German ski mountaineer

Other surnames

KnörleKnörlein