Surname Knueppel - Meaning and Origin
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Knueppel: What does the surname Knueppel mean?
The last name Knueppel is of German origin and derived from the Middle High German words “knoepel” or “knoepfel.” Both of these words mean “button.” It is likely that the progenitors of the Knueppel family were someone who made or sold buttons. The name may also have referred to a person who had a round or dimpled face, perhaps a child.
Historically, Knueppel families can be traced to the Silesia region of Germany, near the current borders of the Czech Republic and Poland. It is also possible that the name developed from the word “Knopfel” which was German for knob or button. Knueppel is also occasionally found as a variation of the Dutch surname “Knop” which also means “button.”
The Knueppel spelling was among those found at the end of the 15th and early 16th centuries. During the 19th century, several of the Knueppel families moved to regions of Prussia, specifically the western parts of Pomerania. Other families moved to the United States and established themselves in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Today Knueppel families are found mostly in Germany, though the name is also associated with many Americans whose lineage can be traced to modern-day Germany. Today, the name is still connected with the words “knopfel” or “knoepel” which mean “button.”
Order DNA origin analysisKnueppel: Where does the name Knueppel come from?
Knueppel is a surname of German origin. In Europe, today it is most commonly found in Germany, especially in the northern and eastern parts of the country. It is also found in other European countries that had a significant German influence like the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, and Switzerland.
In the United States, Knueppel is most commonly found in the Midwest region, particularly Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota. These areas have large German-American populations, and many early settlers of those states were of German descent. The surname is also found in other regions of the United States where German immigrants settled, like Pennsylvania and Texas.
Worldwide, Knueppel is a relatively uncommon surname. Its distribution has likely been shaped by the migration of German-speaking people over centuries. It's found in countries around the world, from Brazil to Australia, but the highest concentrations are found in Europe and the United States.
Variations of the surname Knueppel
The surname Knueppel is of German origin, and is derived from the Middle High German term “knopf” meaning “button.” It is sometimes spelled Knäuppel or Knäupel in German.
Knueppel is often found as Knüppel or Knueppel in other countries. It can also be found as a variation of the name in other languages such as Coneppel, Knoppel, Knopel, and Knupel. In the United States, it is often found as Knaubel, Knipple, Knuppel, Knopple, Knoppel, Knapless, and Knupple.
Other variant spellings of Knueppel include Knüpple, Knoebel, Knappel, and Knüpfel in Germany, and Kne Creative, Kniebel, Kneubel, and Kneubuel in Austria.
In Germany, Knueppel is a common surname. In Switzerland, it is extremely rare to find as a surname. In the Netherlands, the surname is spelled Knotchel, though this spelling is rarely used.
In the United States, the surname is also spelled Knoppel, Knipper, Knippel, Knuppel, Knepper, Kneppel, Knebble, Knopple, Knoppel.
Surnames of similar origin include Knapp, Knopp, Knopf, Knüller, Knuppert, Knops, and Knobel.
In a nutshell, the surname Knueppel is derived from the Middle High German “knopf” meaning button, with various spellings and surnames of similar origin being found in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Knueppel
- Kurt Knueppel: a German Nazi-era diplomat and minister of foreign affairs in the civil government of German-occupied Belgium.
- Dean Knueppel: a former American football offensive tackle who played professionally in the National Football League for the Seattle Seahawks.
- John Knueppel: a former American football tight end who played for two seasons in the National Football League with the Denver Broncos.
- Lisa Knueppel: a professional singer-songwriter who has released five albums.
- Paul Knueppel: a former American football center who played in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Frank Knueppel: a former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1930s.
- Insa Knueppel: a German former Paralympic athlete who specialized in shot put and discus.
- Erich Knueppel: a German diplomat who served as German ambassador to the United States from 1938 to 1942.
- David Knueppel: a former American football defensive end who spent two seasons in the National Football League with the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Grete Knueppel: a German former track and field athlete who competed in the shot put.