
The surname Knoll is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "knuol", meaning "knoll" or "hillock". The surname was often given to someone who lived near a small hill or knoll, or it could have been occupational, referring to someone who worked on a small mound or embankment. In some cases, the name may also be of Slavic origin, derived from the word "knol", meaning "rounded mound". The first recorded usage of the surname Knoll in German-speaking regions is in the 14th century.
The surname Knoll is of German origin, deriving from the Middle High German word "knolle," which translates to 'hill' or 'mound.' Originally, it may have been a topographic name for someone who lived on such a hill or mound, or a metonymic occupational name for someone who worked on such features, such as a digger of soil or builder. The surname Knoll is relatively common in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and among the German diaspora in other parts of the world. Variations of the surname include Knolle, Konrad Knoll (meaning 'bold on the knoll'), and Knoell. Notable persons bearing this name include German-American inventor John Knoll, co-creator of Adobe Photoshop, and German-Swiss mathematician Leonhard Knoll, who made significant contributions to the field of algebraic geometry.
The surname Knoll is predominantly distributed across central and eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where it originated from Germanic roots meaning "hill" or "knoll." In Germany, it ranks among the top 200 most common last names, with a concentration in the southern regions such as Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. The name is also found in significant numbers in Austria, where it is ranked within the top 300 surnames, with a strong presence in the eastern provinces like Styria and Carinthia. In neighboring Switzerland, Knoll is less common but still present, especially in the German-speaking cantons. Smaller clusters of individuals bearing the name can be found elsewhere in Europe, particularly in Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic, due to historical migration patterns. Outside of Europe, there are also small communities carrying the surname Knoll in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the United States, where German immigration was significant during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The surname Knoll has several variants and spellings across different regions and countries. Some of these include Knolls, Knolle, von Knoll, Knole, Konol, Connell (with Irish origin and having a different meaning), and Knolli (Italian variant). Additionally, it may also appear as Konoll, Cnoll, or K'noll in various dialects or historical records. It is important to note that the correct spelling can depend on the specific family lineage or the region of origin. The variations highlight the diversity and evolution of surnames over time and across different cultures.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Knoll include:
1. Eero Saarinen Knoll (1910-1961) was a Finnish-American architect and designer, best known for his iconic TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport in New York City and the St. Louis Arch. His designs were produced by Knoll Inc., a company he co-founded with Hans Knoll.
2. Hans Knoll (1905-1955), Eero's cousin, was also an architect and furniture designer. He founded Knoll Associates in 1938, which later became Knoll Inc. The company is renowned for its modernist designs and collaborations with prominent designers such as Mies van der Rohe, Florence Knoll, and Warren Platner.
3. Florence Schust Knoll (1917-2019), wife of Hans Knoll, was a significant figure in mid-century modern design. She designed furniture that is still widely used today, including the Knoll Planner Group System, which revolutionized office interiors.
4. Richard Knollmüller (1865-1923) was an Austrian architect and painter who significantly influenced the Vienna Secession movement with his innovative designs and ornamental patterns. His works can be seen in various buildings throughout Austria.
The surname Knoll originates from Germanic roots, specifically the Old High German word "knolla," meaning small hill or mound. The first recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the Middle Ages in regions such as Bavaria and Swabia. In the 16th century, a notable bearer of the name was Georg Knoll, who served as a mayor of Nuremberg. Throughout history, the Knoll family has been associated with various professions including metalworking, farming, and merchant trades. By the 19th century, members of the Knoll family had migrated to other parts of Europe and later to the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America, where they continue to thrive today in a wide range of industries.
Chargement de la carte...
Enter the surname you are looking for below:
surnames > knobloch
The last name Knobloch is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "knobloch," which means "garlic." It is believed to have originally been a nickname for s...
surnames > knoepffler
The surname Knoepffler is of German origin. It is derived from a Middle High German word "knopf" meaning 'button' and the suffix "-er", denoting an occupation or trade. In this cas...
surnames > knojiya
The surname Knojiya is of Japanese origin. It is derived from the Japanese words "kno" meaning "field" and "jiya" meaning "valley".
surnames > knoop-costa
The last name Knoop Costa is of mixed origin. "Knoop" is of German origin and "Costa" is of Spanish or Portuguese origin. It is likely that the two names were combined through marr...
surnames > knopke
The last name Knopke is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle Low German word "knopp" meaning "button" or "knob," and would have likely been used as an occupational surna...
surnames > knord
The last name "Knord" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "knord" or "knurren," meaning "to snarl or growl." This last name may have originated as a...
surnames > knouzi
The last name "Knouzi" does not have a widely known origin or meaning. It is possible that it is a variant spelling or variation of a more common surname. Further research, possibl...
surnames > knovic
The last name "Knovic" is of Croatian origin. It is an anglicized version of the Croatian surname "Knović," derived from the word "knjiga," meaning "book" in Croatian. This surnam...
surnames > knowls
The last name "Knowls" has English origins. It is a variant spelling of the surname "Knowles," which is derived from the Old English word "cnoll," meaning "hill" or "knoll." This s...
surnames > knoyle
The origin of the last name Knoyle is English. It is derived from either the Old English personal name Cnoll or the Middle English word "knoll," meaning a small hill or rounded ele...