Surname Knäusl - Meaning and Origin
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Knäusl: What does the surname Knäusl mean?
The last name Knäusl is derived from an old Germanic word meaning knothole. This is fitting because the family likely began as woodworkers, or people who worked primarily with wood. The Knäusl name likely refers to a family whose profession involves creating wooden items, from furniture and wood sculpture to even carvings. Woodworking was an important and highly respected profession in Germany during the Middle Ages.
The surname can also be traced back to the old North German word 'Knötte', which means 'little knot'. This is a reference to those who created wooden structures with small, tight knots. Other branches of the family were able to gain wealth through their trade of carpentry, which they would practice alongside woodworking.
Knäusl is a rare but relatively common surname in Germany. Many contemporary German families retain the name today, although its name originally appears to be from the Middle Ages. The name is also found in other parts of Europe, though it is not always spelled as 「Knäusl」. Thus, we can conclude that the Knäusl family was a well-respected and influential family in Germany during the Middle Ages due to their profession and skillset as woodworkers.
Order DNA origin analysisKnäusl: Where does the name Knäusl come from?
The last name Knäusl is most predominantly found in Germany and Austria today. It is estimated that there are around 800 to 900 people with this surname in Germany alone and around 400 to 500 in Austria. It is also seen with varying spellings such as Knäusel, Knausel, Knaeusl, and Knässel.
The origin of the name is likely from the Middle High German word "knuosel", which referred to a type of knurled pin, indicative of someone who worked with metal. It is also thought to have been derived from the Old and Middle High German word "knauselin", which referred to a metalworker.
The origin and history of the name is supported by the various spellings, as well as the fact that the first records of the surname date as early as the 13th century. Records in the archives of East Prussia show that the surname was most prominent in the villages of Hartheim and Wehlau near the Polish border in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is thought that the surname may be connected to the medieval knightly family of Knayßl, as these villages were part of the family’s estate.
Knäusl families are still found in several areas of Germany and Austria, with notable concentrations in the cities of Mannheim, Amsterdam, and Vienna. In the United States, there are about two hundred people recorded with this surname, primarily in the Midwest and East Coast regions.
Variations of the surname Knäusl
The surname Knäusl is a German surname, derived from the Middle High German word “Knäwer/Knawi”, meaning “knave” or “boy”. It is also sometimes spelled “Knäusel”, “Knäusle”, “Knäusl”, “Knaus/Knauss”, “Knoa/Knoas”, and “Knaute/Knautes”.
Notably, the surname became “Knauss/Knauß” in areas of German-speaking Switzerland and Austria. Its variants today are Knäuss, Knauss, Knauß and Knaps.
The surnames Knaps, Knap/Knapf , Knapp and Knappe are derived from the Middle High German word “Knap”, meaning “servant” or “apprentice”. Most of these spellings are used only in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. While Knap and Knapp are mainly used in Germany, the spelling of Knappe is more commonly found in the Netherlands and the Netherlands.
Surnames with similar origins and similar spellings are “Knepper” and “Knebla”. Knepper is derived from the Middle High German word “Knepfen”, meaning “to pinch” or “to pinch off”. The surname Knebla is derived from the Middle High German word “Knüppe”, meaning “a bag made of animal skin to keep food in”.
In addition, there are also related surnames in other languages such as Bojko in Poland, Knops in Denmark and Knaep in Belgium.
The variants of the surname Knäusl therefore include Knäuss, Knauss, Knauß, Knaps, Knap/Knapf, Knapp, Knappe, Knepper, Knebla, Bojko, Knops and Knaep.
Famous people with the name Knäusl
- Reggie Knäusl: a singer, vocal coach, and YouTube creator who is best known for his beautifully-animated cover of “Let It Go” from the Disney movie Frozen.
- Stefan Knäusl: a professional wakeboarder from Slovakia who won the Slovak Wakeboard Tour in 2020.
- Alfred Knäusl: an Austrian swimmer who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal in 200m backstroke.
- Günter Knäusl: a German defender who played football for FC Köln and represented Germany in the World Cup in 1978.
- Edgar Knäusl: a former Austrian model, actor and entrepreneur. He was featured on the cover of Men’s Health and appeared in several television commercials.
- Kurt Knäusl: a popular jazz and blues musician from Austria who was a member of the Vienna Art Orchestra and has played with artists such as Anna Maria Jopek, Toots Thielemans and Benny Golson.
- Manuela Knäusl: a television presenter in Germany, who is best known for her work on the ZDF Morning Show.
- Rudolf Knäusl: a former Ansbach City Council member and official in Bavaria. He has been active in local politics since the 1950s.
- Petra Knäusl: an Austrian pop singer and winner of the Austrian Pop Contest in 2003. She has released several albums in her career.