Surname Knötzele - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Knötzele: What does the surname Knötzele mean?
The last name Knötzele is of German origin. It is a derivative of the German word "knotz," which refers to someone who is greedy or ungenerous. This surname likely originated in Bavaria, a region in Germany known for its Bavarian dialect.
The name is said to have been used to describe one's stinginess, either in terms of money or other resources. It is likely that those who had the last name Knötzele were regarded in their community as tight-fisted individuals.
Today, the name Knötzele is still in use, though many spell it with a "K" instead of a "C." It is likely that many of those who have the name are, or have German ancestry.
Overall, the surname Knötzele is likely derived from the German word for stinginess, and was likely used to describe individuals who were known to be tight-fisted. Although the name may bring to mind images of much less desirable personality traits, many of those who bear the name proudly celebrate their unique identity.
Order DNA origin analysisKnötzele: Where does the name Knötzele come from?
The last name Knötzele is most commonly found in the German-speaking region, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the Knötzele name is primarily found in the southern regions, especially in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse. In Austria, Knötzele usually occurs in the eastern and southern parts, near the border with Germany and Slovenia. Similarly, in Switzerland, the name is mostly concentrated around the German-speaking areas on the east side of the country.
The frequency of the name Knötzele however, is small overall. Records from 2017 show that there are only around 230 people in Germany with the surname Knötzele, making it one of the least common surnames in the country. Similarly, there are only around 30 people with the name in Austria and Switzerland respectively. Furthermore, the name does not appear in the national surname registries of any other countries.
It is believed that the surname first originated in the Middle Ages amongst the Germanic speaking people, with its root likely stemming from an old Germanic name “Kunza”. Over time, this eventually manifested itself into its modern spelling Knötzele, with each ‘ö’ representing a single letter sound.
Given its roots, the name Knötzele would likely strike most people as having a Germanic origin. Therefore, it is not commonly found outside of the German-speaking regions.
Variations of the surname Knötzele
Knötzele is a German surname that is most commonly found in Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, and other German speaking countries. Its variant spellings include Knözel, Knötzel, Knotzel, and Knotzle. It is generally accepted that the origin of the surname is Old German in origin and it is derived from the word “Knötze,” which roughly translates to “knot” or “small knot.”
In some areas, the surname is spelled Knötzle due to regional dialects or the phonetic variations of the German language. Spellings such as Knöte, Knött, Knette, Knettel, Knetteler, and Knettle are commonly found in the United States and Canada. In some spellings, the “e” may be replaced with an “ö” as in Knoetzel or Knoetzle.
In addition to the spellings mentioned above, Knötzele also has several variations with the suffix “er,” as in Knötzeler, Knotzleer, and Knöetzler. Surnames derived from the same origin include Knappatsch, Knuppel, Knippels, Kniespeck, Knuserich, and Knoepfle, among others.
Overall, the name Knötzele is derived from Old German and its root means "knot" and variations. Thus, its many spellings and surnames reflect different dialects of the German language and regional areas where the surname is most common.
Famous people with the name Knötzele
- Daniel Knötzele, German Organist
- Ilona Knötzele, German Olympic weightlifter
- Jori Knötzele, Austrian-born designer
- Wittekind Knötzele, German pro cyclist
- Himo Knötzele, Austrian musical artist
- John Knötzele, Austrian entrepreneur
- Hans Knötzele, Austrian theatre director
- Frederik Knötzele, German actor
- Agåtes Knötzele, Swedish athlete
- Erik Knötzele, Danish politician.