Surname Knielink - Meaning and Origin

Knielink: What does the surname Knielink mean?

The surname Knielink is of Dutch origin, and is one of the oldest recorded surnames in the Netherlands with a longstanding family history. The name is derived from the Dutch word “knielen”, meaning to kneel, and thus the name implies that a Knielink ancestor was likely known for being humble.

The origin of the name could also be traced back to old Dutch trades, where people would kneel down to take a payment. It could also refer to customs of inheritance, whereby knieling was accepted as a way of showing allegiance and loyalty to one’s lords.

Traditionally, the Knielink surname is first seen attributed to the city of Amsterdam. The earliest known record of this family was of Johannes Knielink in 1425, who is noted as the first successful mayor of the city.

The family’s history is also rich with other accomplishments and achievements, some being that of Amsterdam Reformed Church seen in 1664, an academic study got by one of the Knielinks in 1819, and their appearances in World War II captaining the Dutch Merchant Navy.

Today, the surname is most often concentrated in Europe and the Netherlands. While it can be seen in other parts of the world, the majority of those carrying the name still remain in Europe. As such, the loyalty, humility, and respect for the trade is still reflected in its people today.

Knielink: Where does the name Knielink come from?

The last name Knielink is most commonly found in the Netherlands today. The Dutch toponymic surname Knielink derived from a place name, meaning "person from Kniel," a village located in the province of Limburg. The earliest record of the name was found in the 17th century in Limburg and Gelderland, two provinces in the southeastern region of the Netherlands.

The number of people with the name Knielink has grown steadily at a slow rate over the years and is now most commonly found in the provinces of Gelderland, Limburg, Utrecht, North Brabant, and North Holland. However, the surname is fairly uncommon in other areas of the Netherlands and rare outside of the Netherlands and other areas of Europe where Dutch people have settled.

This last name may also be spelled 'Knieling,' 'Kniëling' or 'Kniëlink.' Today there are more than 2,600 people with the last name Knielink in the Netherlands. The vast majority of these people live in the eastern parts of the Netherlands, with only a handful living in Western parts of the country and beyond.

The name likely has roots in the Viking culture because the place in which it originated is right next to the Rhine and was the Viking settlement before its current name came into use. Knowing its origin, it’s no surprise that the last name Knielink is still quite popular in its original homeland.

Variations of the surname Knielink

Knielink is a surname of Dutch origin, derived from the Old Dutch name 'Knieleke', which means 'little knie', referring to small knees. Variations of the Knielink last name include Knealink, Kneilink, Kneelink, Knelink, Kneling, Kneeling, Kneiling, Kniele, Knele, Kneling, Knollink, Knolling, and Knolling.

The spellings of Knielink can also differ slightly between regions and dialects, with some families preferring phonetic spellings such as Nalink, Neelink, Nelink, Neiling, and Nillink. These spellings are mostly seen in regions where German and Low German is spoken, and mostly in border areas such as Belgium and parts of France.

In some cases, the spelling of Knielink can also evolve into other surnames, such as the Dutch surname 'Knoop' and the German surname 'Knöpfel'–both derived from Knielink.

Knolling and variation of the Knielink surname is still quite common in the Netherlands, and descendants of the Knielink name can be found throughout Europe, and North and South America.

Famous people with the name Knielink

• Jorel Knielink: professional footballer who represented the Netherlands and currently plays for RKC Waalwijk.
• Larry Knielink: former NFL player who was a defensive tackle for 11 seasons.
• Ed Knielink: Dutch professional racing cyclist who won five national time trail titles.
• Chris Knielink: Singer and songwriter originally from the Netherlands but currently residing in Canada.
• Rienk Knielink: Dutch entrepreneur and former politician. He is the founder of ICT Group, a Dutch IT company.
• Corné Knielink: Dutch professional golfer who was a member of the European Tour and has won several tournaments on the tour.
• Johan Knielink: Dutch fitness coach and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Primal Fitness which offers various online programs to help people reach their fitness goals.
• Willem Knielink: Dutch bridge player and one of the most successful in the game at an international level, having won several world championships.
• Gerrit Knielink: Dutch sculptor and painter who mainly works in bronze and combines realism and abstract styles.
• Jan Knielink: Dutch photographer who is known for his pictures of street scenes in Amsterdam.

Other surnames

Knieling