Surname Knight. - Meaning and Origin

Knight.: What does the surname Knight. mean?

The last name Knight is a common surname in the English language, with a range of origins behind its use.

In many countries, the surname is a sign of nobility and is associated with knights of the medieval age, with the first records dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. The surname is derived from the Old English word 'cniht' which translates as 'boy or servant'. A knight was a junior aristocrat of noble birth who held a military rank and typically served as a mounted soldier.

The name is a common one in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, among other countries. In some cases it is associated with knights from a foreign country - for example, in Spain, the name Knight is derived from the Germanic word 'nicht', meaning 'son'.

In addition to the military origins, the surname Knight is also used to denote a person of noble birth, a scholar, or a high ranking official. The surname can also be used as a first name as a show of respect for an admired individual.

No matter what the origin of the surname may be, the name Knight is an honorable one and is associated with the values of courage, service, and loyalty. A Knight is someone who stands up for what he believes in and protects what he holds dear.

Knight.: Where does the name Knight. come from?

The last name Knight is an English and Scottish surname that is quite common today. It is derived from the Old English word "cniht", meaning a recognized servant or retainer employed in a royal court or feudal estate. There are records of this surname existing in England as early as the 13th century.

The name Knight is particularly popular in England and the British Isles, but can be found in other countries around the world. In England, it is particularly common in the East Midlands and Southwest regions. In America, the last name Knight is most prominent in the southern states such as Virginia and the Carolinas. It is also quite common in Australia and New Zealand.

In recent years, Knight has become a popular choice of last name for those looking for a unique name in today's world of surnames. The name is often used as a first name for boys, as well as a surname. It is a name with strong associations of power and courage, making it an attractive choice for families looking for a strong name for their sons.

Despite this, the last name Knight is still relatively common today. It has been around for eight centuries and while it may no longer retain its feudal connotations, the name still carries associations of strength and honour. To many, it is a good choice for a surname.

Variations of the surname Knight.

The surname Knight is thought to derive from Old English cniht, meaning a ‘boy, youth, lad or male servant’. The most common variants of Knight include Knecht, Night and Knicht, all of which originated from the Old English cniht. The surname can also appear in various spellings, such as Knighte, Knyght, Kyght, Knygth, Knite, Knyghte, Kniht, Knyght, and Knyghtt. Other surnames of the same origin are listed as Knighten, Knighton and Knightley.

The spelling of the surname Knight has changed over time, and as a result, different variations have emerged. During the Middle Ages, Knight was often written as Kneyght or Knyght, reflecting the spelling of the time. The surname then evolved into the modern spellings of Knite, Knyght, Knyghte, Knyghtt, and Knyghte.

Aside from Knight, other associated surnames include Knecht, Knack, Knighten, and Nights, all of which are based on Old English cniht. Additionally, a variety of Germanic spelling variants exist, such as Knocke, Knoke, Knoop, Knepp, Knaak, Knage, and Knekamp.

In addition to the above variations, there are a number of surnames of the same origin that evade categorisation. These more ‘unusual’ spellings include Knaip, Knyp, Knypfer, Knopf, Kniff, and Knierim.

Overall, the surname Knight has experienced a long, varied history of spelling variations, making it difficult to identify its exact origin. However, many of the above spellings and surnames all share the same root in Old English cniht.

Famous people with the name Knight.

• Bob Knight: famed basketball coach who won three national titles at Indiana University
• Richard Knight, Jr.: American actor, musician, and singer
• Erika Knight: English artist, knitwear and crochet designer and Men’s Bond Street tailor
• Wayne Knight: American actor, comedian, and writer
• Helen Mirren: British actress known for her portrayals of Queen Elizabeth II, Catherine the Great, Cleopatra, and Lady Macbeth
• Karen Knight: English artist specializing in sculpture and printmaking
• Nicholas Knight: British artist known for his large-scale abstract paintings
• Thomas Knight: English actor known for his roles as Tony in the BBC comedy series Porridge and as Owen Oldfield in the ITV drama series Peak Practice
• Sir John Terence Knight: British soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry during the Second World War
• Kenneth Clarke Knight: British actor and comedian who starred alongside Michael Palin in the long-running sitcom The Good Life
• Ben Knight: Australian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and pianist
• Suge Knight: American businessman and former music executive
• Chris Knight: American Country Music Singer-Songwriter known for his hit single “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Me”
• Tomm Knight: American actor and athlete known for roles in the television series Smallville and Weeds
• Sy Sebastian Knight: American musician, producer, and remixer
• R.T. Knight: Welsh actor, best known for his role as Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Boyd in the ITV series Wire in the Blood
• Steven Knight: British screenwriter and director best known for creating the television series Taboo and Peaky Blinders

Other surnames

KnightKnighteKnightlyKnighton