Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Knab

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the 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

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Knaan

Last name • surnames > knaan

The last name Knaan has its origin in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "knaan" which means "merchant" or "trader". It is often considered to be of Jewish or Israeli desce...

#2 Knaap

Last name • surnames > knaap

The last name "Knaap" is of Dutch origin. It is a occupational surname derived from the Middle Dutch word "knape", meaning servant or page. The name would have been used to denote ...

#3 Knaff

Last name • surnames > knaff

The last name "Knaff" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "knappen," meaning squire or servant. It likely originated as an occupational surname for ...

#4 Knafo

Last name • surnames > knafo

The last name "Knafo" is of Moroccan Jewish origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name "Knafo," meaning "tailor" or "seamstress." The name likely originated as an occupational surn...

#5 Knaider

Last name • surnames > knaider

The last name "Knaider" is of Arabic origin. It is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "kneider," which means "a person who has a firm grip" or "one who holds fast." This s...

#6 Knak

Last name • surnames > knak

The last name "Knak" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "knack" meaning "knob" or "lump", and is likely to have been an occupational surname for so...

#7 Knaker

Last name • surnames > knaker

The last name "Knaker" is of Dutch origin. It is an occupational surname derived from the Dutch word "knacker", meaning a butcher or slaughterer. The surname likely originated as a...

#8 Knakkancheri

Last name • surnames > knakkancheri

The last name "Knakkancheri" originates from India, specifically from the state of Kerala. It is a combination of the words "knakkam," meaning gift or offering, and "cheri," meanin...

#9 Knakr

Last name • surnames > knakr

The last name "Knakr" is of Norwegian origin. It is a topographic name for someone who lived near a hill or a rocky outcrop, derived from the Old Norse word "knakkr" meaning "bump"...

#10 Knakriah

Last name • surnames > knakriah

Knakriah is not a common last name and does not have a widely recognized origin or meaning in English.

#11 Knapek

Last name • surnames > knapek

The surname Knapek is of Slavic origin, specifically Polish and Czech. It derives from the word "knap" which means "stonecutter" or "mason." Over time, various spelling variations ...

#12 Knarr

Last name • surnames > knarr

The surname "Knarr" is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old Norse word "knarr," meaning a small boat or ship. This surname was likely used to identify someone who worked ...

#13 Knauf

Last name • surnames > knauf

The surname Knauf is of German origin, derived from various places named Knauff or Knauf in Germany, such as in the Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse regions. The name is believed to have...

#14 Knauff

Last name • surnames > knauff

The surname Knauff is of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German word "knuf" meaning knob or small hill. This surname was originally a topographical name for someone ...

#15 Knauss

Last name • surnames > knauss

The last name "Knauss" is of German origin. It is a variation of the surname "Knauß" which derives from the Old High German word "knuz" meaning "bold" or "brave". The name likely ...