Surname Kneisle - Meaning and Origin
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Kneisle: What does the surname Kneisle mean?
The last name Kneisle is of German origin, and its literal meaning is "knight’s hall". This likely indicates that the first bearer of the name was a nobleman or noblewoman who owned a large estate.
Kneisle is derived from the German word "knappe" which means knight. This suggests that the Kneisle family had a long history of nobility. Traditionally, knights were powerful figures in medieval Germany that held a high social status. Members of the Kneisle family were likely viewed as respected members of their communities.
The Kneisle surname is still quite common in Germany today, though it is also used by people spread around the world. It is an interesting cultural reference to the German knightly tradition and a reminder of the long-held respect the family has enjoyed in Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisKneisle: Where does the name Kneisle come from?
Today, the last name Kneisle is most commonly found in the United States. While the origin of Kneisle is German, records indicate that Kneisle descended from the Swiss. The name originated from a location called, “Kneisel” in the Lucerne canton of Switzerland. After making its way to the United States, Kneisle was adopted by many immigrants during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
As of 2020, records indicate the Kneisle surname is primarily concentrated in the midwestern United States. In particular, it holds its highest concentrations in the states of Indiana, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. North and South Dakota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio are considered to have a weaker concentration.
Further records indicate the name Kneisle is becoming increasingly rare as only 855 Americans on record still share the name. Despite the lower concentration, the name seems to have remained in the same regions for a good many years, indicating a strong connection to those areas. Although records of the Kneisle family are thin and fragmented, current generations seem to be holding onto the legacy and the last name’s presence in the region.
Variations of the surname Kneisle
The surname Kneisle is of German origin. The most common spelling variation is KNEISEL. Other common spellings include KNAUSEL, KNUSSEL, KNEESEL and KNIESEL. The variant surname KNEUSEL can also appear in records.
Kneisel is an occupational surname, deriving from the Middle High German word, knusil, meaning worker with a hammer. It is thought that Kneisel was originally an occupational title of a worker who would use a hammer to drive nails into the beams of a wooden house frame.
Kneisel is also an archaic term in German for a "small hammer". The spelling Kneisel or Kneiselt is thought to have derived from an old nicknaming practice of substituting I or Y for U in the spelling of a name, and then ending the name in "el," indicating a diminutive form.
The variant surname KNAUSEL is also found in Germany. It can appear as Knäusel, Knäsel or Knäusl and is likely derived from the German word Knäuel, meaning bundle or ball of thread or yarn.
The Kneisel spelling is also found in Austria, and the variant surnames KNUSSEL is also found in Austria and Hungary. The variant surnames KNEESEL and KNIESEL appear in Germany.
Kneisel is also found in the U.S. as an Americanized spelling of the immigrant families who came from Germany, Austria and Hungary. Variants of the surname in America include Kneesel, Kneisel, Knissel and Knisel.
Famous people with the name Kneisle
- Jake Kneisle: Professional motocross racer
- Dawn Kneisle: US figure skating champion
- Tony Kneisel: American professional ice hockey player
- Joseph Kneisel: Siberian philologist and orientalist
- Olya Kneisle: American author, entrepreneur, and television producer
- Edna Kneisle: British actress
- Louis Kneisel: American-born German writer
- Lou Kneisel: American diver
- Steve Kneisel: American artist
- Albert Kneisel: American violinist, composer, and conductor