Surname Kniriem - Meaning and Origin

Kniriem: What does the surname Kniriem mean?

The last name Kniriem is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old Norse words "knurr" meaning "gnarled" or "crooked branch" and "heimr" meaning "home". It has its roots in imitating the surnames of inanimate objects like trees, rocks, and plants. In old German, the meaning of the name would come out as “gnarled home". It is believed to be a descriptive surname created for those who were inhabitants of a place with gnarled trees or branches.

This surname was mainly found in the German states of Brandenburg, Saxony, Pomerania, and Thuringia. It is believed to have been in use in the 18th century, originating in the North German states. It could have been a topographical name for someone living near a land that had gnarled trees, or a habitation name for a family who frequently visited, lived in, or owned a house with gnarled trees.

Today, the surname Kniriem is found mostly in Europe and the United States, with some associated with the Netherlands, England, and Canada. Some of its notable holders include German entomologist Martin Kniriem and Royal Prussian Captain Isaak Kniriem.

Kniriem: Where does the name Kniriem come from?

The last name Kniriem is most common in the United States today. The first Kniriem to arrive in the country was Conrad Kniriem, who came to America in 1737 from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania. Since then, the Kniriem surname has spread throughout the United States, but is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Ohio, Virginia, and Minnesota.

Kniriem families in these states have held on to their heritage in various ways. For instance, Pennsylvania Kniriem communities celebrate their German heritage each year with the Kniriem Reunions. Families of all ages come from all over the region to celebrate their heritage and reconnect with extended family.

In addition to Pennsylvania, Kniriem families can also be found in the other states mentioned above. Many Kniriem families have chosen to stay in their home states, which has enabled the last name to become more widespread across the country. Although the Kniriem surname is still relatively uncommon today, its prevalence in the five states mentioned indicates that it will likely continue to grow.

Variations of the surname Kniriem

The surname Kniriem is of Germanic origin and is believed to have originated from the Germanic personal name Knire. Kniriem is primarily found to be spelled as Knyryem, Kneirem, Nyryem, and Nyeirem.

Variants of the surname Kniriem include Kneirem, Knyryem, Nyeirem, Kierrem, Kinriam, Kinriem, Kneeram, Neirem, Kneyrem and Knyryam. Spelling variations may have resulted due to the estate-system found in Germany during medieval times. The estate-system dictated a surname was to follow the family's estate rather than their own lineage.

Surnames often took different spellings during the course of their migrations within Europe. For example, during the 16th and 17th century, some German-speaking refugees emigrated to Sweden and ended up changing the spelling of their original surnames.

Surnames that have derived from the same lineage and origin of Kniriem include Kneiruem, Kinnieram, Knearius, Kneireum, Kierrem, Kneerram, Keenriem, Keerriem, Neiram, Nieraym, Konirem and Neirem.

Variants and spellings often emerged due to migrations and often result due to local dialectal variations, particularly with names of Germanic origin. Certain spellings of these surnames were more common in certain regions of Europe, which might explain why the surname Kniriem has various variants of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Kniriem

• Zachary Kniriem: Baseball player for the Seattle Mariners.
• Kevyn Kniriem: Actor, best known for his role in the television series, With Child.
• Lisa Kniriem: Stunt performer and acrobat.
• Cesarana Kniriem: Digital media expert and influencer.
• Michael Kniriem: Renowned geneticist and professor at the University of California, Irvine.
• Greg Kniriem: Former CEO of video game developer, Gameloft.
• Stephanie Kniriem: Psychotherapist and author, known for her works in grief counseling and end-of-life best practices.
• Raymond Kniriem: Neurosurgeon and professor at the University of Washington.
• Tanisha Kniriem: Professional dancer and choreographer.
• Anita Kniriem: Biomedical researcher and professor at the Mayo Clinic.

Other surnames

Knirim