Surname Kneusslin - Meaning and Origin

Kneusslin: What does the surname Kneusslin mean?

The last name Kneusslin is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Konrad. It is thought to have originated from the medieval name "Koenrat" which was a first name found in several Germanic regions during the Middle Ages. The name is composed of two elements, "koen" meaning bold or brave, and "rat" meaning counsel or advice.

Given the meaning of the name, it seems likely it was originally a surname given to someone with strong moral character and integrity, who others would likely seek out for advice. It is possible those with the name Kneusslin may have descended from Konrad, or at least descended from someone who shared his characteristics.

Today, the name Kneusslin is widely spread across Germany, mainly in the south-western regions, such as in Bavaria and parts of Baden-Württemberg. It is also found in smaller numbers in neighbouring countries such as Austria. In the United States, it has been recorded as far back as the 1840s.

In general, the surname Kneusslin relates to those of courageous and wise character, as well as having Germanic ancestry. In addition, it is an interesting example of how names can evolve over time, as the original name Konrad evolved into numerous variations over the centuries to produce the modern last name Kneusslin.

Kneusslin: Where does the name Kneusslin come from?

The last name Kneusslin is most common today in the German-speaking countries of Central Europe, particularly Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

The surname Kneusslin originates from German words meaning “knee” and “linen”. It likely began as an occupational surname, referring to someone who was a manufacturer or seller of linen. Over time, the name became associated with a line of linen-producing families, and soon after came to be used as a hereditary surname.

Kneusslin families can be found in areas of Europe where German is spoken, but the greatest concentration is in Germany, where the surname is ranked 398th in terms of prevalence. It is also found in Austria and Switzerland and their related regions. In Austria, the surname is ranked 478th in terms of prevalence. It is less common in Switzerland, ranking 2,002nd, but its popularity is increasing there. As immigration to cities increasingly affects patterns of surname prevalence, it is likely that more Kneusslins will show up in larger cities in Europe.

Kneusslins have also immigrated to North America, particularly to the United States, with a greater prevalence in some Midwest states, such as Wisconsin and Minnesota. Here, the surname is not very common, although records show it has been in the continent since the 19th century. Still, more Kneusslins may be found in areas of North America that have historic connections to Germany, such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York.

Variations of the surname Kneusslin

The surname Kneusslin is derived from the Old Germanic term ‘Kneussli’ which means ‘shoemaker’. It is an occupational surname or a ‘name for a trade’, which became popular by the 15th century. While the surname has remained relatively unchanged throughout the centuries, there are a few known variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variant of the Kneusslin surname is 'Kneussl', although the letter 'a' is sometimes added onto the end to make it 'Kneussla'. Less common variants include 'Kneussel', 'Knuesel', 'Knuesselin', 'Knuesselinn', and 'Knuesselinne'.

The spelling of the surname Kneusslin has also varied over the years. A 17th-century variant is 'Kneußelhoffer', which is still used in some parts of Germany. Other older spellings include 'Kneuselhin', 'Kneustlin', and 'Knewzlin'.

The surnames ‘Kneussell’, ‘Kneussler’, and ‘Kneusslings’ are derived from Kneusslin, although the ‘-er’ and ‘-ings’ endings mean that these were likely derived when the original surname was passed down to sons or other family members.

In the United States, the spelling of Kneusslin sometimes appears as ‘Newselin’. This is due to the fact that the surname was Anglicized when it came to America.

To summarize, the surnames Kneusslin, Kneussl, Kneussel, Knuesel, Knuesselin, Knuesselinn, Knuesselinne, Kneußelhoffer, Kneuselhin, Kneustlin, Knewzlin, Kneussell, Kneussler, Kneusslings, and Newselin are all variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for that of Kneusslin.

Famous people with the name Kneusslin

• Armin Kneusslin (1892–1956), German politician
• Erich Kneusslin (1919–2005), German botanist and ornithologist
• Frank Kneusslin (born 1963), German racing cyclist
• Hugo Kneusslin (1855–1923), German entomologist
• Thomas Kneusslin (born 1957), Swiss graphic designer
• Bernd Kneusslin (born 1952), German former football defender
• Max Kneusslin (born 1945), Swiss long-distance runner
• Heinrich Kneusslin (1922–2005), Swiss international footballer
• Emil Kneusslin (1858–1911), Austrian violinist, composer, and conductor
• Willi Kneusslin (1919–2014), Swiss Olympic skier

Other surnames

Kneussle