Last Name Knab

The surname "Knab" is of German origin. It is derived from a nickname for someone who was considered to be strong and powerful, similar to a knight. The name is composed of the Middle High German word "knabe," meaning boy or servant, which was later altered to "knebe" or "knab." Over time, this nickname was passed down through generations and became a hereditary surname.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Knab

The meaning and origin of the last name Knab

The surname Knab is of Old German origin, derived from various sources. One possible origin stems from the Middle High German word "knebe," meaning servant or boy, which may have been an occupational name for a servant or page. Another theory suggests that it could be a topographic name, referring to someone who lived by a knob or mound of land, as the Old High German word "knapp" meant sharp or pointed. Over time, the spelling has evolved, with variations such as Knabe, Knap, and Knabb appearing in historical records across Europe.

Geographical distribution of the last name Knab

The last name Knab is primarily found in German-speaking regions due to its origins from the Middle High German word "knebe," meaning servant or apprentice. It has also been documented in Switzerland and Austria. In modern times, significant populations bearing the surname Knab can be found in Germany, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria. Additionally, there are notable communities of people with the last name Knab in the United States, primarily in states like Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, due to immigration waves from Germany during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Smaller populations can be found in other parts of the world, such as Canada, Australia, and South Africa, often as a result of German diaspora.

Variants and spellings of the last name Knab

The surname Knab has several variants and spelling alterations due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time. These variations include Knabb, Knabe, Knap, Knapp, Knepp, Knabeck, Knaben, Knabich, Knabisch, Knaboe, Knaebel, Knabenshue, and possibly others. The original German spelling is "Knabe," which means 'boy' in English. Over the years, the name has been altered through immigration and assimilation into different cultures, resulting in these variations.

Famous people with the last name Knab

Notable individuals with the surname Knab include:

1. Arthur Knab (1893-1974), an American painter and printmaker who was part of the Ashcan School, a group of realist painters active in New York City during the early 20th century.

2. Carl Knab (born 1956), a German former track cyclist who won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games and multiple world championships in team pursuit events.

3. Charles A. Knab (1843-1905), an American politician who served as the 27th Governor of Wisconsin from 1897 to 1901.

4. Eberhard Knab (born 1940), a German physicist and meteorologist known for his work on climate modeling and weather forecasting.

5. Hans Rudolf Knab (1926-2008), a Swiss artist and sculptor who was a member of the Cobra movement, a European avant-garde art group active in the 1940s and 1950s.

6. Johann Heinrich Knab (1743–1812), a German-born American silversmith and clockmaker who was one of the most prominent craftsmen in Pennsylvania during the late 18th century.

Genealogical research on the last name Knab

The surname Knab, of German origin, is derived from the Middle High German word "knebe," meaning "knee." It was often used as an occupational name for a servant or messenger who was required to bend his knee before his master. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in Germany, with references to Knabe and Knaben in various records. As German immigrants settled in other countries, variants of the surname emerged. These include Knabe (Germany), Knapp (Scandinavia and England), and Knapik (Poland). Notable individuals bearing this name include Johann Knab, a 16th-century German astronomer, and William Knabe, a 19th-century German pianist and composer. The distribution of the surname is primarily in Germany, but it can also be found in other countries with significant German immigration, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Knab"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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