Surname Knipe - Meaning and Origin
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Knipe: What does the surname Knipe mean?
The last name Knipe is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English 'cnapa', which means servant or boy. The name is thought to have originated as an occupational or descriptive name for a young attendant, or a nickname for an "energetic" person. It was first found in England in the 12th century.
The earliest recording of the name is that of Richard Knap, listed in the Pipe Rolls of Durham in 1176. Later, it is recorded that in 1379, John Knape, a clerk, was a witness in a trial of the dean of Lichfield in Northern England.
Knipe is still a very common last name in the UK, mostly concentrated in Lancashire and Yorkshire. The name is also found in the United States, where it is often spelled as Knapp. In the US it is most common in the mid-west and California.
The surname Knipe continues to be associated with ambition, energy and strength. It also conveys a sense of loyalty and dedication to one's work and family. It is also an enduring reminder of the rich history of the Anglo-Saxon culture and its lasting impact on the modern world.
Order DNA origin analysisKnipe: Where does the name Knipe come from?
The last name 'Knipe' is most commonly found throughout the United Kingdom. It is particularly common in Lancashire county, with the highest concentrations in the towns of Burnley, Blackburn, Leyland, and Ashton-under-Lyne.
According to the most recent United Kingdom census, approximately 11,000 individuals with the last name Knipe live in the UK. The vast majority of these individuals are located in England, with a minor presence in Scotland and Wales.
Knipe is also a reasonably common name in the United States, Australia, and Ireland. In particular, Pennsylvania and New York in the United States have a significant population of Knipes. Additionally, the suburbs of Sydney, Australia have a notable concentration of Knipes according to the most recent census figures.
The surname Knipe is an anglicized form of the Dutch surname Kneppel. This surname is associated with the Dutch word “kneppel,” which means “stump,” and may signify a person who was born with a disability. Additionally, Knipe may also be an occupational surname for someone who worked with wooden stumps to make shoes, or a nickname derived from a word denoting excellence or primacy (such as “champion”).
Variations of the surname Knipe
Knipe is a surname from England with variants, spellings, and other surnames derived from the name. Variants of the surname Knipe include Nype, Nipe, Nyppe, Knippe, Knypp, Knyppes, Neippe, and Neipps.
Spellings of the surname Knipe are Knyp, Knyppe, Cnyppe, Knyp, Knypp, Knyppes, Knypes, and Knyppes. Some variations of the surname Knipe have Akeman, Cnipe, and Cnype.
Other surnames of similar origin to Knipe include Knibb, Knob, Knobbe, Knowles, Knox, and Knauss. Additional surnames of the same origin are Knöbel, Knöpfle, Knöttel, Knitted, Knowleston, and Knodle.
Knipe is derived from an Old English word knopp or knope which was used to refer to a knobby hill. This suggests that the surname Knipe could be a topographical name for someone living on or near such a hill. This could explain why the surnames Knibb, Knob, Knobbe, and Knowles are of similar origin to Knipe.
The name also appears in historical references as Knap and Knapp which are possibly derived from the same English word. The surname Knowles also appears to have been derived from the Old English word cnap which meant "lump" or "bump" and was used to refer to people who lived on a lumpy hill or bumpy land.
In Scotland, Knipe is also associated with the Gaelic name Cnéap which means a round knobbly hill. It is likely that the variations and spellings of the Scottish surname Cnéap led to the Scottish version of the surname Knipe.
Famous people with the name Knipe
- Chris Knipe: Former Major League Baseball player and a semi-pro soccer player.
- Sam Knipe: Professional golfer and coach who founded Sam Knipe Golf Academy.
- Sylvia Knipe: American female singer-songwriter and musician.
- David Knipe: English cricketer representing England under-19s.
- David Knipe: Sr.: American sculptor.
- Crystal Knipe: American actress.
- Joe Knipe: Professional American wrestler, who competed in the National Wrestling Alliance.
- Arnold Knipe: American judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
- Trevor Knipe: Former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League.
- Katie Knipe: American reality television personality most recognized for appearing on MTV’s True Life.