Surname Knoeller - Meaning and Origin

Knoeller: What does the surname Knoeller mean?

The last name Knoeller is of German origin and is a variation of the surname Knöller, which is derived from the Middle High German word “Knöllen”, which means to “knock” or “knoll”. This is likely derived from either a person who lived near or worked with a knoll, hill, or hillock used as landmarks in hilly terrain, or a characteristic given to someone who frequently made loud, knocking-like noises.

The Knoeller surname may have also originated from an occupational nickname, as Knoeller is another variation of Knöller, which was a term used to describe a miller. It can be assumed that the mill used to refer to a grinding mill in the Middle Ages. This occupation was particularly important during this time, as millers were in charge of providing essential ground cereal grains to the surrounding community.

Today, Knoeller remains a quite rare and distinct surname, with approximately 1,750 people globally bearing the name. It is most popular in Germany, where it was likely first recorded and then spread to other countries around the world, likely as a result of immigration.

Knoeller: Where does the name Knoeller come from?

The last name Knoeller is most common today in the United States, Germany, and Austria. It is unusual in the United States, as census data indicate it is ranked 19,232 out of 88,799 total surnames in the US.

In Germany, the last name Knoeller dates back to the 12th century and is derived from the old German word "knehele" which means valley. In the 1500s, the name evolved to include a "K" in some areas and the spelling changed to Knoeller. Today, the name is more common with spellings like Knöller, Knoeller, and Knöeller.

In Austria, the name Knoeller is most common in the states of Vorarlberg, Salzburg, and UpperAustria. It is also popular in southern Germany and the Salzburgerland area of Austria.

The last name Knoeller is an uncommon but distinctive last name. Despite its rarity, it is found in numerous places throughout the world, especially in Europe.

Variations of the surname Knoeller

The surname Knoeller is a variant of Knoell, Knoel, Knoele, Knoellner, Knoelmeyer, Knoellneser, Kneal, Kneale, Knealman, Knealer, Knealler, Knealls, Kneals, Knebel, Knebeler, Knebelman, Knebl, Knebler, Knecht, Knechte, Kneer, Knel, Knele, Knelee, Kneckel, Kneider, Kneifel, Kneip, Kneisch, Knelman, Knepp, Knepper, Knerr, Knetter, Kneuer, Kneuss, and Kniep.

Knoeller is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word knoell, meaning turnip or globe-shaped object. It was likely first used as a nickname for the shape of a person’s head or for someone who grew or sold turnips. This surname could also have been borne by someone from a place called Knoell, derived from the same root.

Variants of Knoeller include Knoel, Knoellner, Kneal, Kneale, Knealman, Knebler, Knecht, Knerr, and Knepp. Knebeler, Knealler, Kneals, Knebl, Kneisch, Knelman, Kneuer, and Kneuss are other variants, while Kneip, Kneifel, Knel, Knele, Knelee, Kneckel, Kneider, Knepp, and Kniep are surnames derived from the same root.

The early German spelling of the surname was Knoeller or Knöller. It is also found in various other forms, including Knoell, Knoel, Knoele, Knoeller, Knoelmeyer, and Knoellneser. The various spellings of the surname have arisen over time due to changes in spelling conventions and dialects. The numerous variants of the surname Knoeller signify the influence of multiple languages, including Middle High German, Old High German, and Gothic.

Famous people with the name Knoeller

• Hubert Knoeller: Hubert Knoeller is a German actor, best known for appearing in a variety of films, television shows, and theater performances.
• Franz Knoeller: Franz Knoeller was a German Protestant theologian and Professor of Church History at the University of Tübingen from 1949 until 1966.
• Franz Anton Knoeller: Franz Anton Knoeller was an Austrian-German painter born in Vienna in 1760. He was active in Düsseldorf and became known for his historical scenes and portraits of royal figures.
• Konrad Knoeller: Konrad Knoeller was a German manufacturer and collector of art, active in the 16th century and renowned for his patronage of Albrecht Dürer and Matthias Grünewald.
• Karl Knoeller: Karl Knoeller was a German jurist who studied law in Heidelberg. He was chairman of the Heidelberg Court of Justice from 1896 to 1911.
• Hanina Knoeller: Hanina Knoeller was an Israeli jurist and the longest-serving judge of the Supreme Court of Israel.
• Sándor Knoeller: Sándor Knoeller was a Hungarian Palaeontologist who was active from the early 1900s until the late 1970s. He was known for his paleontological work, primarily on the fossil selection of mammalian fauna.
• Jakob Knoeller: Jakob Knoeller was a German philosopher and theologian of the 18th century. He is best known for his work on nature and religion.
• Klaus Knoeller: Klaus Knoeller was a German physician, businessman, and politician. After the Second World War, he was appointed a Senator in the Federal Council of West Berlin, where he held office until 1960.

Other surnames

KnoellKnoelle