Surname Knipl - Meaning and Origin
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Knipl: What does the surname Knipl mean?
Knipl (or Kniepel) is an old family name of German origin. It is believed to have been derived from the Old German word 'knie' meaning ‘knee’ and the suffix '-el', which could refer to diminutive stature.
The name is thought to have been given to a family of short stature, as it implies a small knee. It is likely that the individuals from which the name was derived had strongly bowed legs or bowed knees which were below average in height.
The name would have come into prominence in the Middle Ages, when people would have relied more on physical features to identify people. During this time, surnames were used more for distinguishing people from each other than they are today.
Knipl is a well-known name, particularly in the German-speaking world. It is still commonly seen around Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where many of the bearers of the name can be traced back to the original family.
Outside of the German-speaking world, Knipl is uncommon, but still found in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. It is likely that those with the surname Knipl around the world are descended from the same family, though exactly when they left their homeland and settled it is unknown.
Overall, while the literal meaning of the Knipl surname is uncertain and likely dates back to medieval times, the name is well-known in the German-speaking world, and is still a popular surname today.
Order DNA origin analysisKnipl: Where does the name Knipl come from?
The last name Knipl is most commonly found in Jewish communities across the world. This surname is closely associated with the Jewish diaspora in Eastern Europe and the Jews of German-speaking countries. It is particularly common in several countries including Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Russia.
It is thought that the name Knipl originated in Germany around the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Hebrew word knipl, meaning “a priest” or “a rabbi”. The initial bearer of this last name was likely a priest or rabbi in a Jewish community. As Jewish populations moved throughout Europe in the following centuries, so did this last name.
The name remains quite common among both Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish communities today. In the United States, for example, in recent years there have been more than 8,000 individuals with the last name Knipl living across a majority of U.S. states. Knipls have also contributed greatly to Jewish culture in many countries, including notable scholars and musicians.
Variations of the surname Knipl
Knipl is a surname of Czech origin that is commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe. It is an occupational surname, derived from the Czech word "Kniha", meaning 'book'. The surname is also linked with the occupations of bookbinding, book keeping, and bookkeeping. Variant spellings or surnames of Knipl include Knípol, Knípel, Kňípel, Knyipl, and Knyppel, all of which are derived from the same root.
Knyipl, Knyipel, and Kňípel are usually encountered in eastern Slovakia and western Ukraine, where they are part of the language and culture of the area. In western parts of Ukraine, the surname is found in both its original and adapted forms - Knyipel, Knyippel, and Kňípel. Meanwhile, Knípol is a common variant of the surname found in Germany and Austria.
Generally speaking, the surname Knipl is an uncommon one, but its variant spellings are quite widely dispersed throughout Central and Eastern Europe. It is also worth noting that the surname may be found in the United States, where it typically comes from emigrants from the aforementioned countries who have Anglicized their names. Other names of the same origin and derived from the same root may include Knijp, Knipp, Knippel, Knippl, and Knipsel.
Famous people with the name Knipl
- Brad Knipl: Former professional baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals in the Major League Baseball (MLB)
- Julie Knipl: Professional photographer whose work has appeared in National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal
- Jim Knipl: Former professional golfer who won 3 tournaments on the Nationwide Tour and competed in the PGA Tour
- Jakub Knipl: Professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Litvínov in the Czech Extraliga
- Anastasia Knipl: Professional figure skater who competed in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi
- Semyon Knipl : Professional basketball player who currently plays for top-tier teams in Israel
- John Knipl: Singer/songwriter whose music has been featured in TV commercials and film soundtracks
- Jack Knipl: Internet celebrity and avid snowboarder
- Stephen Knipl: Professional tennis player who competed in ATP tournaments for many years
- Jan Knipl: Czech painter and author who is known for his surreal artwork