Surname Kneip - Meaning and Origin
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Kneip: What does the surname Kneip mean?
The last name Kneip is of German origin and is believed to be a locational surname. It likely derived from the Middle High German phrase knip meaning ‘dark corner’ or ‘a corner with a sharp bend,’ in reference to a bend or corner on a road. As such, it is likely that Kneip was initially used to describe someone who lived in a house located near such a corner.
The name is also believed to be associated with the word kneipe, meaning a pub or a tavern. Due to the connection to a pub, it is possible that the Kneip family had ties to pubs or taverns of the area and derived their surname from it.
In addition to Germany, the surname can be found in other parts of Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands.
The Kneip family has a long and proud history, tracing its roots in the region back centuries. Today, the Kneip family can be found all over the world, and several famous people bear the surname, including Stephanie Kneip, an American opera singer, and Karl Kneip, an Austrian mathematician and astronomer.
Though the exact origin of the Kneip surname is still unknown, what is evident is that it carries with it a rich and proud history, and its presence can be seen in the many places it originates from.
Order DNA origin analysisKneip: Where does the name Kneip come from?
The last name Kneip is most commonly found in German-speaking countries today. Specifically, the Kneip surname is most prevalent in Austria, where it is the 1,491st most common last name with about 3,700 registrations. It is also quite common in Germany, with nearly 7,000 registrations, making it the 6,966th most popular name in the country. Other countries where Kneip is common include Switzerland, the United States, and Canada.
The Kneip surname is believed to have originated in southwestern Germany, near the Rhine valley. It likely derives from the Middle High German word kneipen, which means to kneel or bend. By the 14th century, it was being used as a patronymic for one who was descended from a man named Kneip.
Today, the Kneip family is largely found in and around the Palatinate region of Germany, which is located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. A number of other Kneip families can be found in North America, most notably in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio, where many German immigrants settled in the mid-nineteenth century.
Variations of the surname Kneip
The surname Kneip has various spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin. These include Kneipp, Kneipf, Kneippen, Kneiper, Kneipple, Kneipes, Kneipz, Knehp, Knehps, Knevip, Knyp, Knypp, Knip, Knipe, Knips, Knipp, Knippel, Knipper, Knippes, Kniph, Knipf, Kniphoff, Knipl, Knipsel, Knipser, Knipsl, Knispel and Knipstein. Kneipp is the original German spelling. The surname can be found in several countries including Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Poland, Russia, Mexico and the United States of America.
The Kneip surname typically originates from the name of the place where a person lived or worked. One such place was the village of Kneipp in Nürnberger Land, Bavaria. It is likely that people using this surname originated from that village or elsewhere in the region. Other places with the same name may have led to the same surname.
The root of the Kneip surname is the Middle High German word "knepen", which means "fencer" or "iron worker". The surname is also believed to be derived from the Old German word "knect", which has the meaning of "fist" or "knock". This would suggest that those with this surname were strong fighters or workers.
Thus, the Kneip surname is believed to have originated from several places or from a profession. Those with the surname likely went by various spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Kneip
- Peter Kneip: German footballer who played with FC Kaiserslautern from the mid-50s to mid-60s. He was a part of the historic Bundesliga-winning team in 1963 and scored a total of 63 goals for the team. He was also an integral part of the German national team at the time.
- Michael Kneip: German novelist who is best known for his works on German history and its various time periods. He is particularly known for his works on the culture of Germany during the Middle Ages and the renaissance period.
- Bill Kneip: American politician who was a member of the US House of Representatives from New York from 1975 until 1983. He was the first openly gay congressman in the US.
- Lucas Kneip: One of the most notable German basketball players in history. He began his career playing for Alba Berlin and then moved to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.
- Jim Kneip: American professional baseball player who played for the Chicago Cubs from 1959 to 1965. He retired after suffering from severe patellar tendinitis.
- David Kneip: German professional volleyball player who currently plays for the United Volleyball Club in Berlin. He is renowned for his defensive skills on the court.
- Wilhelm Kneip: German painter and illustrator from Hamburg who was known for his paintings of urban and rural scenes. His paintings often depicted street life in Hamburg during the early days of the 20th century.
- Elizabeth Kneip: Canadian landscape painter and art teacher who gained prominence for her still-life scenes and oil paintings. She was known for her ability to capture the beauty of the Canadian landscape in her paintings.
- Emma Kneip: German textile artist and fashion designer who is renowned for her vibrant textile designs. Her designs have been featured in many of the most prestigious fashion shows around the world.
- Steven Kneip: German photographer who is widely known for his black and white portrait work. His photographs often explore the nuances and complexity of human relationships.