Surname Knoerchen - Meaning and Origin
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Knoerchen: What does the surname Knoerchen mean?
The last name Knoerchen is a German surname believed to have originated in the modern-day region of Central Germany. It is derived from the Old High German word "kneor" meaning "knot" or "knotty" and "chen" which means “small”. It is believed that the name was given to those who were small and had unusually tangled facial features. People with the last name Knoerchen were often known for their uniqueness and sometimes even considered to be wise.
Throughout the centuries, the Knoerchen family name spread to other parts of Germany and eventually to other countries. This surname is widely found in the United States, mainly in the states of Texas and Ohio.
The Knoerchen family name originates from humble beginnings and yet carries a certain nobility with it. Through the generations, the Knoerchen family name has been connected to a certain amount of status or importance in German society. This is due to the fact that the name has been employed in many different capacities over the centuries, such as in politics and government service, as well as in the military and other industries.
The last name Knoerchen carries a certain mystique and consistent association with wisdom and knowledge. It is a proud name connected to a unique, strong, and occasionally wise lineage dating back centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisKnoerchen: Where does the name Knoerchen come from?
The last name Knoerchen is most commonly found in Germany and in countries of German heritage. According to the Forebears surname database, Knoerchen is the 1530th most common last name in Germany and the 7948th most common last name globally. The region of Bavaria, Germany is home to the highest concentration of people with this last name, with more than 3,700 people bearing this name as of 2019.
In the United States, the last name Knoerchen is less common and often spelled slightly differently (Knorr or Knorrhen). According to the US Census Bureau, about 300 people in the United States are estimated to have the Knoerchen surname today, primarily in the midwestern states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio.
The Knoerchens of Germany trace back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The name is believed to have originated from the rare German word "knörchen" which means "little knot". This could refer to a distinctive feature of a person such as a birthmark or other mark that was given to people by the Church. Thus, the Knoerchens may have been some of the earliest residents of Germany.
The Knoerchens in the United States most likely descended from German immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a result, the name has spread around the globe with many people of German descent living in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina bearing the Knoerchen surname.
Overall, the Knoerchen surname is more common in Germany than elsewhere in the world, but it is not unheard of for people of German heritage to bear the Knoerchen surname in countries around the world today.
Variations of the surname Knoerchen
The surname Knoerchen is a German patronym originating from the Middle High German “knur” meaning “knot” or “bunch” or “cluster”, and the suffix “hen” means “little” or “budding”.
Variants of the surname include Knochen, Knopf, Knaus, Knaup, Knöpfchen, Knüpfchen, Knupf, Knupfer, Knopff and Knorren.
Spellings of the surname include: Knoechen, Knoerchon, Knoorchen, Knoercken, Knochen, Knoerchen, Knorcken, Knaus, Knoefen, Knaussen, Knopff, and Knopf.
Surnames of the same origin include Knautz, Knaus, Knauff, Knobloch, Knapp, and Knoblock.
The last name Knoerchen is common in Germany today and can be found in all parts of the country, but especially in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It is also found in the United States, Canada, England and Scotland.
Famous people with the name Knoerchen
- Karl Friedrich Knörschen (1768: 1852), German classical and romantic composer.
- Frans Knörschen (1838: 1908), Dutch author of numerous books about the Dutch language and Dutch literature.
- Klaus Knörschen (1897: 1954), German fascist politician and SA chief.
- Friedrich Knörschen (1901: 1945), Luftwaffe General during WWII.
- Heinrich inter Knörschen (1908: 1988), German economist and leading figure in the postwar economic recovery of West Germany.
- Theodor Knoerchen (1854: 1932), German naturalist and Professor of zoology.
- Gerd Knörschen (born 1948), German artist and sculptor.
- Georg Knoerchen (1817: 1875), Prussian colonel and commander of the Prussian guard.
- Eugen Knörschen (born 1932), former German professional footballer and manager.
- Christopher Knörschen (born 1980), the Swiss alpine skier who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics.