Surname Kneislie - Meaning and Origin
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Kneislie: What does the surname Kneislie mean?
The last name Kneislie is of German origin, and derives from the phrase ‘kneiselein’ meaning ‘little and brave butcher’. It is a very popular surname in Austria, and has a long history in the country.
The surname was first used in the Habsburg dynasty which ruled over most of Europe from the 12th century until the end of World War I. This family was descended from one man, Ulrich von Kneislie, who is believed to have been the first of his family to take the surname Kneislie.
The Kneislie surname could have been derived from Ulrich’s profession, as he was a butcherer and a renowned butcher in the city of Vienna, Austria. His descendants assumed the surname as a way to honor him and his family’s profession.
The surname has since evolved into several variant spellings, depending on the dialect of the region. Some of these variants include ‘Kneisly’, ‘Kneisler’, and ‘Knaeisel’. All variants reflect the same origin and meaning - ‘little and brave butcher’.
Today, Kneislie is still a popular surname in Austria but it has spread to many other countries around the world. It is most commonly seen in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and other English-speaking countries, where it is often pronounced as ‘kneezlee’.
Order DNA origin analysisKneislie: Where does the name Kneislie come from?
The last name Kneislie is most commonly found in Germany today. It appears to have originated in Bavaria, an area in southeastern Germany. This name is thought to have begun in the 1300s, and has continued to live on due to the prevalent farmsteads in the region, where many of the Kneislies work and live.
The most popular areas in modern-day Germany for the Kneislie surname are Bavaria, Hessen, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Thuringen. Bavaria still remains the epicenter of the population hold, with the Kneislies who have stayed in the area since the 1300s, as well as those who have moved to the area more recently.
The Kneislies made their mark on local history during the 17th and 18th centuries, due primarily to their involvement in the growing beer industry. In the early 19th century, the Kneislies became among the most successful brewers in the region.
The Kneislies have also had a longstanding presence in the Catholic church. During the 1500s, several members of the Kneislie family served in positions of religious authority. This is still true today, as many Kneislies have become ordained priests, nuns, or teachers in the local region.
In modern times, the Kneislie surname has been found throughout Germany, as well as in the US, UK, Switzerland, and other parts of the world. The population of Kneislies continues to increase and remain a solid part of Germany's culture.
Variations of the surname Kneislie
The surname Kneislie is of German origin and is usually found in Bavaria, Austria, and the US where it is sometimes also spelled "Kneisle" or "Kniele". It is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word "kneis" or "kneiz", meaning small, or servant.
In Germany, variants of this name include Kneisel, Kneissel, Kneissl, Kneissler, Kneisler, Kneischl, Kneishl, Kneizel, and Kneizelmann. In Austria, the name is sometimes found spelled as Kneesel, Kneesler, and Kneisl.
In some Americanized spellings, the surname appears as Knasel, Kneasle, Kniesler, Neesler, or Niesler.
Alternative surnames of the same origin include Knepper, Knepple, Knebush, Kneebel, Kneibel, Kneip, Kneiper, Knippel, Knipple, Knappel, Knapple, and Knopf.
Famous people with the name Kneislie
- George Kneislie: George Kneislie was a former Scottish footballer who played as a forward in the Football League in England for Darlington, Bristol City and Exeter City.
- Felix Kneislie: Felix Kneislie is a German professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for EHC Olmütz in the Czech Ice Hockey League.
- Stefanie Kneislie: Stefanie Kneislie is a German model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Germany 2014.
- Werner Kneislie: Werner Kneislie was an Austrian footballer who is best remembered for playing for LASK Linz and the Austria national football team.
- Pia Kneislie: Pia Kneislie is a German figure skater. She is the 2010 NRW Trophy bronze medalist and has won gold medals at several international competitions.
- Rupert Kneislie: Rupert Kneislie was an Austrian painter renowned for his paintings of sacred religious scenes. He was also known as a costume and fashion designer.
- Joe Kneislie: Joe Kneislie is a former American football player who played in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers. 8.Magnus Kneislie: Magnus Kneislie is a Swedish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Helsingborgs IF in the Swedish second division.
- Elisabeth Kneislie: Elisabeth Kneislie was an Austrian soprano who was influential during the 20th century in the fields of German vocal music.
- David Kneislie: David Kneislie is an American film director, whose films include 'The Day We Met' and 'Curse of Kichigo'.