Surname Knicely - Meaning and Origin
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Knicely: What does the surname Knicely mean?
The surname Knicely is of German origin, specifically from the southwestern region of Germany. The name is a variant of "Kniesel" or "Knösel", which is derived from the Middle High German term "knisel", a word referring to a type of bread roll. Therefore, the family name may have originally been used to refer to someone who was a baker or seller of these bread rolls.
German surnames often emerged from nicknames or professions, thus giving insights into a family occupation or characteristic. However, the meanings of many surnames have evolved over centuries, becoming family identifiers rather than actual descriptors. The surname Knicely, despite its culinary origins, is now simply a symbol of familial lineage. Knicely,like many European surnames, was altered in spelling and pronunciation upon families' arrival to English-speaking countries, simplifying it for the new language and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisKnicely: Where does the name Knicely come from?
The last name Knicely is of English and Irish origin. Today, the surname Knicely can be found in various countries around the world. In the United States, the name is most commonly found in Texas, Ohio and West Virginia. It's also quite common in the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Additionally, the name is found in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the British Isles.
The Knicely surname is believed to have first appeared in England during the Middle Ages when the Knicely family held a baronial title under the Earl of Middlesex. Records indicate that William Knicely held the barony in 1273. It's possible that the family were immigrants from another region of Great Britain and Ireland.
The name Knicely is found most often in rural areas, suggesting that it was carried to the United States and other countries by family members who traveled long distances to find work. Many people who share the Knicely last name today may be related to the original medieval family.
Variations of the surname Knicely
The surname Knicely can have several variants, spellings, and other surnames with the same origin.
The variants of Knicely include: Kniceley, Nisely, Niesly, Niesley, Nesly, Nesley, Knezy, Knesly, Knesley, Knisely, Knisley, Knisey, Kniseely, Kneasly, Kneasley, Kneazley, and Kneassis.
The spelling variants of Knicely include: Knicelye, Kniclye, Knislye, Noicely, Noiceley, Nysly, Nysley, Nishly, Nishley, Nessly, Niessley, Kneedly, and Knezly.
Some surnames with the same kind of origin as Knicely are Nicely, Knise, Knowles, Knasel, Knusley, and Knesh.
The root of these surnames comes from the Middle English word "Nice", meaning "fool, simpleton, silly person", which is derived from Old French and Latin words for the same meaning. These surnames were likely given to people who were perceived as having silly or foolish qualities.
In addition, some of these surnames could be derived from the Old English word "Nese" meaning "nose" or the Old English word "cyse", meaning "case" or "chest". These names could have been given to people with distinctive facial features, or to people skilled in making cases and chests.
So, there can be many spellings, variants, and other surnames of the same origin as the surname Knicely.
Famous people with the name Knicely
- John Knicely: journalist and anchor most recently working at Fox 26 in Houston, Texas.
- Tom Knicely: a conservation photographer, writer, and naturalist who focuses on Northeast Ohio’s flora, fauna, and the intersection between humans and the surrounding environment.
- Logan Knicely: a professional golfer who competes on the Latinoamerica Tour.
- Wade Knicely: an award-winning film director and writer best known for his dramatic and comedic short films and music videos.
- Jill Knicely: a celebrated quilt artist whose vibrant designs have been featured in numerous books and galleries.
- Jodie Knicely: a former human resources specialist and current author who has written several children's books and middle-grade novels.
- Joy Knicely: an environmental educator and advocate, mainly in the areas of sustainable food systems and ecological conservation.
- Kent Knicely: American football coach who serves as the Offensive Coordinator at Southern Utah University.
- Jake Knicely: a pioneer in the field of virtual reality (VR) technology, having developed and sold the first ever 360-degree video camera to Google.
- Juliet Knicely: a professional actress with a long list of stage and screen credits, having appeared in such productions as Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and American Horror Story.