Surname Knox - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling History: My Journey with iGENEA in Discovering the Knox Lineage
Venturing into the world of genetics through an iGENEA DNA test proved enlightening, especially regarding the origins and migration patterns of the Knox surname. This journey fosters remarkable global connections within the Knox community thanks to the iGENEA DNA database.
U. Knox
read moreKnox: What does the surname Knox mean?
The surname Knox is of Old English and Scottish origin. Derived from the Old English word 'cnocc', and Scottish 'cnoc', both meaning 'hill', it was likely a topographic name given to someone who lived on or near a hill. Alternatively, Knox could be a habitational name from any of the places named with this element like Knock in Northern Ireland and Scotland. During the Middle Ages, it was common to identify individuals by distinct surnames, often based on their geographical locations, which is likely how Knox originated. The surname Knox is widely known due to John Knox, the 16th-century leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisKnox: Where does the name Knox come from?
The surname Knox has its origins in Scotland, specifically derived from the Old English term 'cnocc' which means 'hill'. It was a locational surname given to people who lived on a hilltop or a high place. The name was first found in Renfrewshire, an ancient historic county in the west central lowlands of Scotland.
John Knox, a 16th-century priest and leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland, is one of the most famous bearers of this name, which may have contributed to its spread.
Today, the name is widespread but particularly common in countries with considerable Scottish diaspora such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the U.S., it's popular in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Tennessee. It also remains reasonably common in its country of origin, Scotland. However, the usage of the name as a first name, such as in the case of the actor Knox Cameron Patrick Forte (son of actor Will Forte), has been rising in recent years.
Variations of the surname Knox
The surname Knox is deeply rooted in Scottish and Irish heritage. It originated from the Old English word "cnocc," which means "hill." It was often given to someone who lived on a hilltop or a high place. Variants of the surname Knox include Knocks, Knoxson, and Nocks. These variations primarily arose due to phonetic translations over the hundreds of years.
The addition of 'son' at the end of a name was a common practice and hence 'Knoxson' came into existence, meaning 'son of Knox.' In Ireland, the surname was also Anglicized from the Gaelic "Ó Cnáimhsighe", meaning "descendant of Cnáimhseach".
In some cases, the X in Knox could also be replaced by Cks or Ck, leading to Nox, Knox, KnoxCks, or even NoxCks. It is not uncommon for the surname Knox to be misspelled due to its phonetic pronunciation.
However, the most common forms remain Knox and Nocks. Though it is much less common, the surname Knox is also occasionally found with a double 'k' as in 'Knnox'. Regardless of how it is spelled, the surname links back to the same root; those who lived on a hill.
Famous people with the name Knox
- Billy Knox: A former NFL running back who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1985 season.
- Penelope Knox: a Nobel prrize winning British novelist who has written 28 books and earned countless awards over the course of her career.
- Edwina Knox- Croker: an Australian teacher and film director who has earned numerous awards throughout her filmmaking career.
- Naomi Knox: an Australian Olympic swimmer who competed in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic games.
- David Knox: an Australian film and television actor who is best known for his roles in the features films The Matrix, The Truman Show, and The Lord of the Rings.
- Jenna Knox: an American film and television producer who has worked on TV series such as Game of Thrones and Stranger Things.
- Nikki Knox: a professional wrestler and MMA fighter who has competed in the WWE and UFC.
- Jack Knox: an American stand-up comedian and actor who has starred in films such as Jurassic Park and The Hangover.
- Barbara Knox: an English soap opera actress best known for playing the role of Rita Sullivan in Coronation Street.
- Michael Knox: an American record producer and songwriter who has worked with prominent recording artists such as Usher, Mariah Carey, and Justin Timberlake.