Surname Kneil - Meaning and Origin

Kneil: What does the surname Kneil mean?

The last name Kneil appears to have Irish origins, though it's not a common surname and its detailed etymology is somewhat unclear. It might be a variant of O'Neill, which is a common Irish surname. The surname O’Neill means "descendant of Niall," originating from the Irish Ó Néill. Niall can mean "champion," "passionate," or "vehement." Therefore, the surname Kneil could carry a similar meaning, indicative of descendants from a passionate champion. Remember that meanings of names can vary based on geographical regions and historical periods. It's also important to note that spellings of surnames often changed over time due to a variety of factors, including phonetic spellings and translation between languages. Therefore, Kneil might have undergone several transformations before becoming the version we see today. It's always interesting to look into one's family history to understand more accurately the meaning and origin of a particular surname.

Kneil: Where does the name Kneil come from?

The last name Kneil is found mainly in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, it is the 6,990th most commonly used surname in the country. It is believed to have originated in Germany, where it is still in use today. It is also slightly more common in Scotland than in other parts of the world. Kneil is a patronymic name meaning "son of Neil" or "son of Niall," a popular Old Gaelic first name. The origin of the name can be traced to the root word Niadh, which means "champion" or "warrior."

Kneil is also found in Canada and some other countries throughout the Western world. It is an uncommon name in England, ranking 19,589th in terms of popularity in the country. Kneil appears to be most common in the American Midwest, specifically in Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. It is also found in Texas, New York, and Florida to a lesser degree. Modern-day Kneils are identified as primarily being of White or Caucasian ethnicity.

The Kneil name also appears in genealogies and family histories. Records show that a certain Edward Kneil fought in the U.S. Civil War and served in its troops in 1864. His father, alongside many other family members, was originally from Germany. He and his brother, August, both volunteered in the Union Army and served in the infantry unit of their regiment.

Overall, the Kneil surname is not particularly widespread across the world, but there is a clear presence in the United States, with a strong midwestern presence. Records and genealogies show that the Kneil family has been in the United States since the mids-1800s, primarily arriving from Germany. There is also evidence that the Kneil name is still in use in its European homeland today.

Variations of the surname Kneil

The surname Kneil is derived from the Gaelic name "Niall" or "Neil," which is a popular Irish and Scottish name found in both countries. In Gaelic, Neill means champion. Kneil is a variant spelling of Neil, and it's often seen as an alternative spelling of the name Neal.

Other related variants, spellings, and surnames include:

- Knell

- Niall

- Nail

- Neill

- Neal

- Knill

- Kneel

- McNiel

- McNeel

- McNeal

- McNeill

- McNeil

- McNill

- Neilson

- MacNiel

- McNeall

- Niel

- Nielson

In English-speaking countries, these variants of the surname Kneil can be found in both Irish and Scottish records. The name has also been found among other European countries in its many forms, including variations like Nieto, Kneel, Nielson, and Keller.

Upon emigration, some families may have slightly altered their surname spelling, and so these alterations may appear in records. As a result, some families may have multiple spellings of the same surname.

Variants of the surname Kneil exist for many reasons, from intentional changes to mistakes made in spelling and record-keeping. As a result, many people with the same ancestral name may not share the same exact spelling of their surname.

Famous people with the name Kneil

• Amie Neille Kneil: Artist, designer, and author
• Sabastian Kneil: Professional Fortnite player
• William Kneil: Professional racer
• Jerry Kneil: Actor and former Little League Baseball coach
• Richard Kneil: Musician and composer
• Jean Kneil: Grandma of two well-known musicians
• Bruce Kneil: Voice-over artist
• Earl Kneil: Singer, songwriter, and producer
• Mark Kneil: Founder of the Adrenal Reset Diet
• Peter Kneil: Political documenter and editor

Other surnames

KneibKneidingerKneipKneippKneiselKneiseleyKneislKneisleKneisleiKneisleyKneislieKneislyKneisselKneißelKneisslKneißlKneissleKneißleKneitingerKneittinger