Surname Kneußle - Meaning and Origin

Kneußle: What does the surname Kneußle mean?

The last name Kneußle is a German surname derived from a German word “Kneuß”, meaning a wooden mallet, usually used for striking a chisel or axe. It is believed to have originated from a trade or profession of a woodcarver or smith.

In some cases, Kneußle can also be Jewish, short for Knopfstein, meaning a buttonstone, or a stone used to cut or smoothen buttons.

Kneußle is a variation of Kneissel and Knessel, with both being found mainly in the Alsace region of France, near Germany and Switzerland. It is most common in the district of Haut-Rhin (Upper Rhine).

Though there has been much speculation surrounding the origin of the name, it is most likely of German heritage. It is thought to have been adopted by a single family in the early 16th century in the area of Lorraine, bordering Germany and Switzerland.

The Kneußle’s were a large, influential family, predominately in Lorraine, with strong ties to Germany and Switzerland. They were prominent in the food, wine, and textile trades. They may have used the Kneußle surname to distinguish their family from other German-speaking families in the area.

In the present day, Kneußle remains a rare surname. Those who bear the last name have roots in Alsace and the family has continued to pass down this name over generations.

Kneußle: Where does the name Kneußle come from?

The last name Kneußle is most commonly found today in the German-speaking region of Europe. Specifically, a high concentration of the name can be found in the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany, a southwestern state situated near Austria and Switzerland.

The name Kneußle can even be traced as far back as 1608 when a Heinrich Kneußbel appeared in a list of Red Keyholders in the Klettgaus area of Baden-Württemberg. This Heinrich is believed to have been a churchwarden, which may designate the origin of the family’s earliest origins.

By 1800, Kneußles had settled in the Pfalz region of Germany (now part of the Baden-Württemberg area). Nearly a century later, the surname was still relatively concentrated in two distinct areas of Germany. One was the Pfalz region, the other area was the Rottweil Oberer Neckar district in southwestern Baden-Württemberg.

In the 20th century, Kneußles began to more widely disseminated and settled in various districts of Germany. Throughout the 1940s and 50s, many Kneußles emigrated from the Baden-Württemberg area to other countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Today, Kneußle can be found scattered throughout many parts of the world as the descendants of the Bergisch and Pfalz ancestors have since spread the name far and wide. However, the name remains most heavily concentrated in the Baden-Württemberg area of Germany.

Variations of the surname Kneußle

Kneußle is a Germanic name that originated in Bavaria, Germany. The variants and spellings of Kneußle include Knaus, Knoess, Kneusel, and Kneussl.

Knaus is derived from the German word 'knauz' which means 'bump' or 'clod of earth.' This spelling is especially popular in Krakow, Southern Poland.

Knoess is derived from the Old German word ' gibê, knuôzu' which means' small hill'. It is a variant that is used in some parts of Austria.

Kneusel is another variant that is mainly found in the countries of Slovenia and Croatia. It is derived from the word 'kneu' which means 'turnip'.

Kneussl is a variation that emerged to distinguish the name from other variants. It is derived from the Old High German words 'knizza' and 'knuozu' which mean 'small' and 'hill'.

Surnames that are derived from Kneußle are Knauß, Kneußle, Knössle, Knausle, Knavel, Knappel, Knopfel, Knopfle, Knupel, and Knöpfle.

In conclusion, Kneußleis a Germanic surname that has many variants, spellings, and derivatives. The different spellings and derivatives come from a variety of roots, such as German, Old German, Slovenian, or Croatian words.

Famous people with the name Kneußle

• Oskar Kneußle (1844-1913), German painter
• Karl Kneußle (1795-1845), German lithographer
• Eva Kneußle (1848-1931), German artist
• Johannes Kneußle (1775-1851), German court painter
• Franz Xaver Kneußle (1753–1793), German sculptor
• Johann Friedrich Kneußle (1715-1780), German goldsmith
• Johannes Kneußle (1583-1624), German painter
• Ludwig Kneußle (1820-1880), German architect
• Heinrich Kneußle (1827-1875), German architect
• Alexander Ferdinand Kneußle (1834-1911), German soldier and antiquarian

Other surnames

Kneußlin