Surname Knell - Meaning and Origin

Knell: What does the surname Knell mean?

The surname Knell is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English 'cnyll,' meaning 'bell.' It was originally used as a occupational name for a person who rang bells in a church or town crier. Over time, it evolved into a surname and was passed down to successive generations. Thus, Knell can indicate an ancestral occupation related to bell ringing or making in the family lineage. The name is found in various forms including Knill, Knell, and Knyll. It's also worth noting that in modern English, 'knell' is used to denote a sound made by a bell rung slowly, especially for a death or a funeral.

Knell: Where does the name Knell come from?

The last name Knell is not especially common today, but there are a few scattered populations who bear the surname. Most of these thin pockets are located in the United States. The most populous states for people named Knell is Pennsylvania and Indiana, with approximately 350 people found in each state during the latest census. Svensk is another place with a concentration of the surname, but in much smaller numbers.

Knell is also found in the United Kingdom, predominantly in the Midlands. Here, there are 150 people from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire who bear the family name.

Knell can also be found in Germany and in other areas of Europe. Here, it is even less frequent, with individualsmostly living in small rural communities.

However, the multiple origins of the Knell name make it difficult to clearly trace its path from one country to another. Some sources suggest that branches of the name have been to be in existence since the 1700s, but a definitive timeline remains elusive.

Variations of the surname Knell

The surname Knell has various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. These include Kneall, Knall, Knaal, Knale, Knowl, Knoll, Knolles, Knolle, Nole, Knowell, Knot, Knet, Kneat and Knott.

Knell is an English and German surname derived from both given names and locational surnames. In the case of given names it can be derived from various sources including OE “cnoll” meaning hill and Norman "Cnoll" which was derived from the Latin "collis" meaning hill. It can also be derived from the Middle English “knoll” meaning summit. Lastly, Knell can be derived from the Old Norse name “Knuthr”, meaning knot.

The variants and spellings of the Knell surname originate from its many permutations across multiple countries, regions and languages. For example, the German “Knoell” and Dutch “Knol” are derived from the same Latin “collis”. In the same way, variations such as “Knet”, “Kneat” and “Knot” are all derived from Old Norse “Knuthr”.

The many variations of the Knell surname can be found in many countries around the world. In the United States, for example, there are many immigrants with the Knell surname, some of whom had to modify the spelling due to the difficulties posed by immigration and naturalisation processes. In the United Kingdom, Knell is a patronymic name, which indicates it is derived from the male given name of another ancestor. It can also be found in other European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands as well as in Australia and New Zealand.

In conclusion, the Knell surname is of various origins, and its spelling and variants have been changed over time. Most of its spellings still retain the same original meaning in regards to its origins either from hill or knot.

Famous people with the name Knell

• Regan Knell: Australian Actress
• Annabelle Knell: British Singer
• Stephanie Knell: German Photographer
• Chantelle Knell: South African Youtuber and Social Influencer
• Justin Knell: American Voice Actor
• Hazel Knell: English Singer-Songwriter
• William Knell: Canadian Musician
• Harry Knell: Welsh Comedian
• Rebecca Knell: Australian Artist
• Leonard Knell: English Politician
• Alice Knell: French Actress
• Jack Knell: Irish Film Director
• Emma Knell: New Zealand Film Producer
• Thomas Knell: Danish Poet
• Sam Knell: Canadian Architect
• Andrew Knell: Indian Musician
• Lily Knell: American Ballet Dancer
• Evan Knell: Scottish Animator
• Louis Knell: Brazilian Actor
• John Knell: Austrian Documentary Filmmaker

Other surnames

Kneller