Surname Knäbke - Meaning and Origin
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Knäbke: What does the surname Knäbke mean?
The German surname Knäbke (also spelled Knaeble, Knabke, Knäble, or Knaeblein) is derived from an occupational name meaning “cobbler.” The German word “Knabe” literally means “boy” or “servant” and the suffix “-ke” is a diminutive form. Thus, someone named Knäbke would have been the son of, or otherwise related to, a shoe-maker.
The name Knäbke is fairly common in Germany, as well as in other German-speaking countries such as Switzerland, Austria and Holland. It is especially common in the region of Baden-Württemberg, where it is the 77th most popular surname. The earliest recorded usage of the name dates back to 1737, when Johannes Knäbelin of Anhausen was mentioned in a land register.
From the meaning of the name, it is likely that the family had its origins as cobblers, in fact many of those bearing the surname today are involved in this profession. However, the name has also been adopted by many other families who do not have professional links to shoemaking, as a way of connecting themselves to their German history and heritage.
Overall, the name Knäbke is an occupational surname, derived from the German word “Knabe” meaning “boy” or “servant.” It has been adopted by many families today as a way of connecting themselves to their German history and heritage, regardless of their own professional background.
Order DNA origin analysisKnäbke: Where does the name Knäbke come from?
The last name Knäbke is most commonly associated with Germany, where it has its origin. It is a variant of the common German last name Knabe, although the exact origin and meaning of the name is unknown. Records show that the name was first found in Lower Saxony, in northern Germany.
Today, the last name Knäbke can still be found in Germany, as well as in nearby countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, and Russia. It can also be found in some parts of North America, mainly the United States. According to the 2020 US census, there are 1,867 people with the last name Knäbke living in the United States. Out of these, 1,517 of them live in California alone.
Interestingly, the last name Knäbke is also quite common in Norway, where it is thought to have been adopted from German immigrants who moved there in the 1800s. This could explain why it is also popular in appearance in the neighboring countries of Sweden and Finland.
Overall, the last name Knäbke is most commonly associated with Germany but can also be found in other parts of the world as well. It is relatively popular in Norway and is slowly making its way into other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Knäbke
The surname Knäbke is a German occupational surname that originated in the early medieval times. It is derived from the Old German word 'Knab', meaning a servant or youngster working for an estate. Variants of this surname include Knabbke, Knabel, Knabe, Knappke, Knabke, and Knabkai.
In some parts of Germany, this surname has a different spelling, such as Knaback, Knabacki, Knabick, Knabiki, Knapl, Knaup, Knapp, and Knapke. Novel spellings are also found, such as Knapke, Knoble, Knafle, and Knapak. In some cases, the surname may also be written with an umlaut, as Knäbke.
Alternate surnames associated with this name include Knabeck, Knabbe, Knabb, Knabich, Knupel, Knopel, and Knopf. All of these names share the same root and ultimately refer to the same family line.
The Knäbke surname can also be found in various countries, with alternate spellings and changed pronunciations. In the United States, for instance, it is known as Knoble, Knapick, Knoppke, Knappik, Knapek, Knoppe, Knobel, Knabel, and Knabeck. In Poland, it is spelled as Knop, Knap, Knapek, Knapiak, Knapik, and Knopp. In France, the Knäbke family name can be spelt as Knopf, Knapp, Knappak, Knapick, Knapik, Knife, and Knater.
The surname Knäbke is known to be borne by families in Germany, the United States, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Austria, and other countries.
Famous people with the name Knäbke
- Karl Knäbke (1854–1924): German impressionist landscape painter.
- Franz Knäbke (1811–1895): German botanist and plant collector.
- Heinrich Knäbke (1884-1954): German actor and film director.
- Wolfgang Knäbke (born 1933): German journalist and writer.
- Ingrid Knäbke (born 1954): German singer-songwriter and cabaret artist.
- Gudrun Knäbke (born 1978): German forensic chemist and toxicologist.
- Johanna Knäbke (born 1989): German former professional tennis player.
- Christoph Knäbke (born 1997): German professional ice hockey player.
- Thomas Knäbke (born 1962): German furniture and interior designer.
- Martina Knäbke (born 1965): German illustrator and painter.