Surname Knoernschild - Meaning and Origin
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Knoernschild: What does the surname Knoernschild mean?
The last name Knoernschild is of German-Jewish origin. It means “knight’s shield”, derived from the Middle High German words “kneht” for “knight” and “schild” for “shield”. The name is likely a reference to the great military and political power held by medieval knights during the Middle Ages. During this period, knights were members of the upper class nobility and represented wealth, power and military prowess. It’s likely that the original bearer of the name was of high stature in the noble class.
Knoernschild is an uncommon last name with a rich historical meaning. It is sometimes spelled “Knoernscheld” or “Knoerschild”, all having slight variants of the same meaning. Those with the last name Knoernschild are likely descended from families who lived in parts of the Holy Roman Empire, which stretched from modern day Germany to parts of modern day Italy in the Middle Ages.
Today, the last name Knoernschild is still uncommon and is found mainly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other surrounding countries. It’s a great reminder of ancestry and the noble heritage carried by the ancient knights of the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisKnoernschild: Where does the name Knoernschild come from?
The last name Knoernschild is most commonly found in Germany although there are sparse populations in other parts of the world. Most of the Knoernschild families in Germany can trace their roots as far back as the 16th century. During this time, the name first gained popularity in Alsace, a historically disputed region that borders France and Germany. The Knoernschild family likely migrated to this region during the Franco-Prussian war in the 1870s, when many German families sought refuge in areas with strong German ties such as Alsace.
Today, the Knoernschild name is found in parts of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and other parts of Europe, as well as in Australia, North America and other parts of the world. In German-speaking countries, the Knoernschild name is most commonly found in the western states such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Rheinland-Pfalz, as well as in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg.
In North America, there are only a few clusters of Knoernschilds, likely descended from German immigrants who arrived in the late 19th century or early 20th century. One of the largest Knoernschild populations in North America is in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada which is home to around 50 households with this last name.
Overall, the last name Knoernschild is most commonly found in Germany although small Knoernschild populations can also be found in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Knoernschild
Knoernschild is a German-language surname that has many variations. The most common variants are 'Knernschild', 'Knornschild', and 'Knurnschild'. Surnames that have similar spellings include 'Knornscheld', 'Knornschield', and 'Knornschilde'.
In family history research, it is important to consider other spellings to ensure a comprehensive search. This is because of the difficulty of accurately recording names in the past, due to both pronunciation and spelling standards changing over time. Over time, the letter 'n' may have been written as 'm'; for example, the surname 'Knoernschild' could have been written as 'Kmoernschild'. Similarly, the letter 'h' may have been dropped, so variants like 'Knornschild' and 'Knornsceld' are possible.
Apart from these variations, Knoernschild is also used as part of other surnames, such as 'Knoernschilder' and 'Knoernschildt'. Additionally, many hyphenated surnames have been created, combining Knoernschild with other elements, such as 'Knoernschild-Bryon' and 'Knoernschild-Mueller'. Finally, non-Germanic variants such as 'Knoronshilt' are also common.
In conclusion, a comprehensive search for the Knoernschild surname should include a variety of variants, such as 'Knernschild', 'Knoronshilt', and 'Knornschilde'. It is also important to consider alternate spellings, hyphenated surnames, and non-Germanic variants.
Famous people with the name Knoernschild
- Michael Knoernschild: German boxer
- Jo Knoernschild: Canadian painter
- Franz Knoernschild: Austrian chess master
- Heinrich Knoernschild: German entomologist
- John Knoernschild: American baseball player
- Bernhard Knoernschild: German doctor
- Malte Knoernschild: Swiss ski mountaineer
- Tim Knoernschild: American entrepreneur
- Felix Knoernschild: German composer
- Günther Knoernschild: German philosopher