Surname Knöchel - Meaning and Origin
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Knöchel: What does the surname Knöchel mean?
The last name Knöchel is a German surname, derived from the word knöchel, which means "ankle" in English. It likely began as a geographical name used to describe people who lived near an area with an ankle-shaped piece of land. The name may also have arisen as an occupational surname for someone who made or repaired shoes, which often need to fit snugly around the ankle.
The origin of the name likely dates back to the Middle Ages, when hereditary surnames first began to appear in Europe. It is also possible that the name was not taken on until later in more recent centuries. The name has multiple variations in spelling, including Knoechle, Knoechel, and Knoeppel.
Because the surname originates from Germany, anyone with the surname Knöchel is likely of German descent. However, due to migration throughout the centuries, those with the family name now can be found in other countries including Austria, Switzerland, the United States, Russia, and many more. The name Knöchel is now used widely throughout the world, especially in Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisKnöchel: Where does the name Knöchel come from?
The last name Knöchel is most commonly found in Germany today. According to Germany’s Telephone Book, there are over 2,000 listings for the surname in various parts of the country. The highest concentration of this name is in the state of Bavaria, with almost 700 listings, followed by the states of Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The name Knöchel is an occupational surname, referring to a shoemaker or cobbler. The Old German word ‘Knoch’ means ‘knuckle’, and therefore the name literally means ‘knuckle’ or ‘knuckle maker’. It is likely that those with the last name Knöchel are descendants of the original cobbler who adopted the name as part of their identity.
The surname has also spread beyond Germany and can be found across Europe and North America, especially amongst German-American or Dutch-American communities. It is particularly common in the United States in states such as Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
The Knöchel family name likely dates back centuries, and those bearing it today are likely descended from a long line of shoemakers who chose to adopt their profession as part of their identity. This name is a reminder of the long history of shoe-making in Germany and serves as a testament to the country's craftsmanship.
Variations of the surname Knöchel
The surname Knöchel is of German and Dutch origins. Variants of this surname are Knöchelle, Knöschl, Knoechel, and Knoechele.
Variations in spelling of the surname may also be found. These variants include Knochel, Knoechel, Knöchelle, Knöschl, Knoechele, Knoechell, Knöschel, Knoechell, and Knochelle.
This surname is often used as a synonym for many other names and is sometimes referred to as Knochle, Knoechell, or Knoechele. The spelling variations of Knöchel are also sometimes used for some other surnames of similar origin, such as König, Köhler, Kölbl, and Köpfel.
In addition to the variations in spelling of the surname, there are several surnames that can be derived from the surname Knöchel. These include the German surnames Knösel, Knöschen, Knophe, Knopf, and Knopfle.
In the Netherlands, the name can also be found under different spellings, including Nöchel, Nochle, Noechel, and Noechele. The Netherlands variant of the name could also be spelled as Noechell or Noochell.
In some parts of Germany, the name may also be found as Nochel, Nochle, Nochl, or Nöchl, while in Austria and Switzerland, it may be found as Knächle, Knöckel, or Knöschl.
Overall, the surname Knöchel is an aptonym, as its origin is derived from the German word for ‘ankle’. It has become a Germanic surname with many different spellings and variants, allowing for many other surnames to be derived from Knöchel.
Famous people with the name Knöchel
- Eva Padberg, German model, TV host, entrepreneur, and singer.
- Michael Knöchel, German composer and music director.
- Damaris Knöchel, Danish climate activist.
- Philipp Knöchel, Austrian curler.
- Ulrich Knöchel, German actor and producer.
- Wilhelm Knöchel, German surgeon and anatomist.
- Andreas Knöchel, Austrian biochemist and professor.
- Johann Heinrich Knöchel, German bryologist and botanist.
- Roman Knöchel, German actor and writer.
- Johann Georg Knöchel, German organist, choirmaster, and composer.
- Martin Knöchel, German Lutheran theologian and professor.
- Wilfried Knöchel, German lawyer, judge, and politician.
- Ingrid Knöchel, German historian, journalist, and editor.
- Henning Knöchel, Austrian lawyer and politician.
- Manfred Knöchel, Austrian mathematician and professor.
- Willi Knöchel, German athlete and ski coach.
- Rainer Knöchel, German mathematician and professor.
- Robert Knöchel, German journalist and editor.
- Robert Knöchel, Estonian minister of finance.
- Tobias Knöchel, German natural historian and professor.