Surname Knaggs - Meaning and Origin

Knaggs: What does the surname Knaggs mean?

The last name Knaggs is thought to be an occupational name, with its origin being from the Middle English term ‘knagg’ which refers to a type of hooked walking stick used for climbing trees. This term was often used as a nickname for someone who made or used the stick, or even for people who were known to be very good at navigating or climbing trees. Later, during the 17th century, the name was adopted by some families in England as their own surname.

One of the earliest records of the Knaggs surname can be found in William Knagg's will which was written in 1622 in London. Several other early records show people in England utilizing the surname during the 1700s, including Thomas Knaggs who was buried in 1701 in Cambridgeshire, and John Knaggs who was christened in 1753 in Staffordshire.

Today, people with the Knaggs surname are found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States of America, Australia, and other parts of the world. The surname is quite uncommon, however, and is estimated to be only used by fewer than 1,500 people globally.

There are a variety of possible meanings behind the surname Knaggs, although this remains uncertain and cannot be definitively known. Some have suggested that it may have been used to indicate a person's profession or livelihood, as indicated by the Middle English term ‘knagg’. Others suggest that it may have been used to describe someone who was a good navigator or climber, while others believe that it may simply have been a nickname adopted later as a last name. Whatever its original meaning, the surname Knaggs serves to tie together a unique group of people and families across the globe.

Knaggs: Where does the name Knaggs come from?

The last name Knaggs is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. Although it is quite rare, there are records of Knaggs families in every county of the UK. The name began to appear in records in the early 1500s, particularly in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. With the expansion of the British Empire, some Knaggs families moved to other parts of the world, such as Ireland, Australia, and the United States.

In the United States, Knaggs is an uncommon name. It is most commonly found in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In England, it generally remains concentrated in the northern counties of Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Northumberland.

This interesting last name is of Germanic origin, and is derived from the personal name ‘Knag’. One of the earliest records of the name was in Northumberland in 1595, when Richard Knaggs was recorded. Another record of the name dates back to 1635, when Lidia Knaggs was married in St. Mary's Church in Shoreditch, London.

Today, Knaggs is an uncommon last name in the United Kingdom, but is still found in some parts of the country. It is slightly less common in the United States, but there are still some families with the name, particularly in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Variations of the surname Knaggs

The surname Knaggs can be written in many variations, including Knagg, Knoggs, Knag, Naggs, Naggs, Noggs, and Knage. Less common surnames include Knagge, Knipps, and Knack.

The spelling of the surname may depend on where the person is from. There are many geographical regions in which the Knaggs surname is used, including England, Scotland, and Wales. It is also found in some parts of the United States.

In England, the name is believed to have derived from the Old Norse word “knagg” meaning “projection.” It could also mean “knob,” referring to a lump or rock. This could refer to the rocky outcropping of coastal lands of England. In Scotland, the name is derived from the Gaelic term “cnag” meaning “knob” or “projection.” Similarly, in Wales the name is thought to be derived from the Welsh word “cnau” meaning “hill.”

Knaggs is also a popular surnames in Germany. It is derived from “Knägg” which is a German word meaning “pointed rod.” It is believed to be an occupational name, referring to a craftsman who specializes in working with metal rods, such as an armorer or blacksmith.

The Knaggs surname has also been anglicized to similar sounding names, such as the surnames “Knox” and “Nags” in the United States.

Overall, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames which originate from the surname Knaggs. Many of these spellings are attributed to different geographical regions, and a few are anglicized versions of the original name.

Famous people with the name Knaggs

• Peter Knaggs: Peter Knaggs is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne from 1974 to 1976.
• Ray Knaggs: Ray Knaggs is currently a Member of Parliament in Canada, representing the Saskatchewan Party.
• Wayne Knaggs: Wayne Knaggs is a British former professional footballer, who played for a number of teams including Leeds United, Barnsley, Derby County and Mansfield Town.
• Philip Knaggs: Philip Knaggs is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray and West Coast Eagles in the early 1990s.
• James Knaggs: James Knaggs is an English professional golfer who plays on the European Tour and the Challenge Tour.
• Jim Knaggs: Jim Knaggs is an American actor, best known for his role as "General Zod" in the television series Smallville.
• David Knaggs: David Knaggs is the former CEO of Affinity Health, a UK insurance company.
• Steve Knaggs: Steve Knaggs is a former British professional cyclist, who raced in Europe in the early 1980s.
• Stephen Knaggs: Stephen Knaggs is a British artist, best known for his Pop Art works.
• Joshua Knaggs: Joshua Knaggs is an American mixed martial artist, who fights in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Other surnames

KnaggKnagge

Comments or additions to the name "Knaggs"

04.03.2024
Could have been an odd spelling of Knox