Surname Knauss - Meaning and Origin
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Knauss: What does the surname Knauss mean?
The last name Knauss is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word knus meaning “knot”or “knot of wood”. It is most commonly found in northern Germany, where it is recorded as being in use since at least the 15th century.
Knauss is thought to have been an occupational name for someone who was a wood carver, such as a cobbler or wood joiner, or a maker of carved objects or furniture. It may have given over time to denote someone who made rope, slings or other objects using knots.
Other alternative spellings of the surname include Knaus and Knoos. It may also in some instances be associated with the German name Knaus, which is derived from the Middle High German knawe meaning “boy” or “lad”.
As the surname Knauss spread to other parts of Europe, it often took on new folkloric meanings, such as a person of strong or impenetrable character. It was also said to denote someone who was smart, savvy or even sly.
Today, the surname Knauss is most commonly found in Germany, the United States, and parts of Latin America, especially Argentina and Chile. It is also found in other parts of the world, but in far fewer numbers. In the United States, the largest concentrations of people bearing the surname are found in Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Order DNA origin analysisKnauss: Where does the name Knauss come from?
The last name Knauss is renowned as a German and Swiss surname. Its geographical distribution is quite dispersed, with most people with the name living in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the US, the surname is most common in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, where it has ranked among the top 1,000 most common surnames several times since the 1990 census. It can also be found in other parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.
The origin of the Knauss surname is Swabian and is thought to have derived from the nickname "Knaussen", derived from the Old Germanic "Kneuz" or "Kneze", meaning low hill or weekend. Today, the name is most common in the German-speaking countries of Europe, most notably in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. It is also scattered across the United States, particularly in certain areas with a strong German-American heritage, such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The name is associated with various prominent people, including the first Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton Knauss, and his son Robert Hamilton Knauss, a prominent Philadelphia banker and railroad owner. Other notable figures include US Navy pilots George Knauss and Troy Knauss.
Variations of the surname Knauss
The surname Knauss is of German origin and has numerous variants depending on dialect and region. Its variants include Knausser, Knawsser, Knouser, Knauer, Knawser, Knousen, Knaysser, Knapsser, Knause, Knapwer, Knapier, Knappser, Knapisch, Knapser, Knape, Kneusser, and Knousser.
In some parts of Germany, spellings such as Kneuß, Knauß, Kneuss, Kneußer, Knaußer, and Kneusser (sometimes with umlauts) have been used. The most common spelling of the surname in the United States is Knauss.
Kneuss and Kneusser are both Anglo-German (English-German) versions of the name. In addition, some people with the surname Knauss have adopted variants or alternate spellings that reflect a higher level of literacy and fluency with English-language orthography. These include Knouse, Knows, Knos, Knause, and Knauer.
Many people with the surname Knauss are of Palatine German ancestry, and the surname is typically spelled with an "s" in the Palatinate. In the northern parts of Germany, the surname Knauss is sometimes spelled with a "x," resulting in the variants Knaux, Knaux, Knauxx, and Kneux.
Finally, there are a few reportedly unrelated nicknames associated with the surname Knauss, such as Knoslis, which is a shortened form of the name Knoerzel (nickname for Knauss).
Famous people with the name Knauss
- Melania Trump: Former fashion model and current First Lady of the United States, her maiden name is Knauss.
- John Knauss: American oceanographer and National Medal of Science recipient known for his contribution to the field of physical oceanography.
- Melvin Knauss: American historian who focused on German history and the Holocaust, known for writing the book, “The Holocaust and Its Survivors.”
- Bill Knauss: American film producer and writer who was part of the special effects team on the films “The Matrix” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.”
- Rob Knauss: Canadian film editor and sound technician who worked on films such as “Star Trek: Insurrection”and “Stuart Little.”
- Inga Knauss: German singer and songwriter affiliated with the musical group “The Alexander Brothers.”
- Joe Knauss: American Olympic medalist for track and field at the 1927 Summer Universiade.
- Michael Knauss: U.S. Army National Guard general who served in the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War.
- Judy Knauss: Seen as a pioneer in the Bahamas' hospitality industry, she was the first woman to become president of the Out Island Promotion Board in the country.
- Bob Knauss: Currently serving as the acting Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he formerly held the titles of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment and Chief of the U.S. Forest Service.