Surname Kneisly - Meaning and Origin
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Kneisly: What does the surname Kneisly mean?
The last name Kneisly is of German origin. However, its exact meaning is not specifically defined or widely documented. Like many surnames, it may have been based on a myriad of factors such as an occupation, geographical location, or ancestor's personal characteristics during the Middle Ages when surnames began to be used. Historically, it has been recorded in several variations including Kneisel, Kneissle, and Kneissl, suggesting regional differences in its usage within Germany. This lack of a definite meaning is common amongst many surnames, which often have lost specific interpretations over the course of time due to language evolution and cultural assimilation. Therefore, the meaning of the last name Kneisly can be difficult to trace back, but it's part of a broader tapestry of German heritage and history.
Order DNA origin analysisKneisly: Where does the name Kneisly come from?
The surname Kneisly is an Americanized version of an originally European surname found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is most common today in the United States. The surname is of German origin, derived from the German term “kniese” meaning “knives.”
The first recorded instance of the name in the U.S. was in 1811, when Henry Kneisly immigrated with his family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since then, the surname has spread across the U.S. with Kneisly families appearing in census records in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other eastern states.
By the mid twentieth century, Kneisly families could be found in states across the U.S., with Maxwell Kneisly settling in California and Robert Kneisly in Arizona. Today, the surname is still found in states across America, with strong concentrations in the mid-Atlantic and Midwest states.
Populations in other countries remain lower. There are a few Kneisly families in Switzerland and Germany, and some may still be found in Austria. The surname is, however, much less common outside of the US, reflecting the original migration of Kneislys to America.
Variations of the surname Kneisly
The surname Kneisly is a variant of the German name Kneisl, a combination of the German words 'kniest' and 'li', meaning 'knee' and 'by', respectively. It is also spelled as Kneisli, Kneisley, Kneisleyy, Kneisely, Kneisly, Kneyssey, and Knezley.
Kneisly is an occupational name that was originally given to a person who made or operated a knee-mill, which is an apparatus that fits the knee or elbow of an archer so he or she can increase the power of his or her bow.
Kneisly is also found to be a variant of Kneisl, a Jewish surname that originates from the German word 'knieg' or 'knie', which means 'knee'. It is believed that the original Jewish bearers of this surname may have adapted the occupational name Kneisly or Kneisl symbolizing their profession as a miller.
Variants of the name include KnezYes, Knezel, Knezlein, Knezmann, Knezelmann, Knezler, and Knezinger. Other spellings of the name include Kneisely, Kneisly, Kneisley, and Kneislee. It is also recorded as Knesley, Kneasly, and Niesley.
Variations of the surname are found in American records from the early 19th century. In 1815, Jonathon Kneisley of Pennsylvania was listed on the U.S. Census, and records from the 1850s list Michael Kneisely of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. Later records in 1880 include Emma Knezley of Oregon.
In summary, the surname Kneisly has various spellings and is an occupational surname for a miller. Variants of Kneisly include spellings such as KnezYes, Knezel, Knezelmann, Knezler and Knezinger. Other corners of the world such as the U.S. record spellings such as Kneasly and Kneisely.
Famous people with the name Kneisly
- Stephen Kneisly: Actor; Known for his roles in Homeland, Sleight, and more.
- Donnie Kneisly: ASL Instructor and Entrepreneur; taught the Deaf community in Philadelphia, established his own ASL course.
- Burt Kneisly: Attorney; also served as President of the Mentor Harbor Yacht Club.
- Warren Kneisly: Business executive; has served on several company boards in the Philadelphia area.
- Paul Kneisly: Dentist; specialized in family and restorative dentistry in Pennsylvania.
- Gary Kneisly: Musician; released two blues-rock albums and a single.
- Stephanie Kneisly: YouTuber; best known for her family-friendly DIYs.
- Richard Kneisly: Cinematographer; credits include the 2009 short film Zero and the documentary Sometimes We Live to Fish.
- Howard Kneisly: Church leader; currently serves as a minister of Allentown Church of Christ.
- David Kneisly: Mathematician; researched the area of group theory and algebraic topology.