Surname Knöpfli - Meaning and Origin
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Knöpfli: What does the surname Knöpfli mean?
The last name Knöpfli has Germanic roots, and it is derived from the German word Knopf, which translates to button or fastener. While the exact origin of the name is unknown, it is likely associated with a job or profession concerning sewing or needlework. For example, a person who worked in the family's tailor shop creating buttons, fastening needles, and stitching clothing might have had the last name Knöpfli.
Knöpfli is also sometimes spelled Knopfli, Knoepfli, Knoepfle, or Knöpfle. It is quite common in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. However, it is also found in other countries throughout Europe, the United States, and beyond.
The coat of arms symbol associated with Knöpfli is quite representative of the needlework associated with the surname. It features three white or silver needles with large buttons sewn in the center, and two golden lions on either side. The white background of the symbol and the red ribbon featuring a white cross near the bottom are both common markers for German-speaking surnames.
Although the working life of those with the last name Knöpfli is not known for certain, it's likely it was associated with sewing, needlework, and buttons, all of which have been important aspects of society for centuries. Today, Knöpfli is a surname that continues to be associated with strong family ties and a rich cultural heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKnöpfli: Where does the name Knöpfli come from?
The last name Knöpfli is most commonly found in the European countries of Switzerland and Germany. In Switzerland, this surname is particularly prevalent in the Swiss German-speaking canton of Zurich. In Germany, Knöpfli is mainly found in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
Knöpfli is an occupational last name that derived from the German word “knopf”, which means “button”. This name probably originated with someone who worked making buttons, buttons coats, or other garments including buttons.
Knöpfli is also found in Austria, but to a lesser extent. The spelling in Austria is slightly different, and it is spelled Knopf in the German-speaking region and Knoppf in the Austrian German-speaking region.
Knöpfli is also found in the United States amongst German-speaking immigrant families. The name first started appearing in the US in the early 1800s, and mostly in mid-Atlantic states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio. By the 1900s, the name had spread further east and south.
Today, Knöpfli is still reasonably common in Europe. In the US, over 1,000 people are listed as having the name in the US census, mainly concentrated in mid-Atlantic and Midwest states.
Overall, the last name Knöpfli is still quite common, particularly in the countries of Switzerland and Germany. It is also found, to a lesser extent, in Austria, the United States, and other countries with German-speaking immigrant families.
Variations of the surname Knöpfli
Knöpfli is a Swiss-German surname that has several variants, spellings, and connected surnames. The common spelling is Knöpfli, although there are alternate spellings such as Knöppli and Knöpfle, or variants such as Knoepfli. This surname can also be spelled with various diacritical marks such as Knöpf̈li or Knoepf̈li.
The surname has variations in spelling which can also be related to a number of other Swiss-German surnames by way of a single origin. Examples of such surnames are Knopf, Chopell, Knobel, Knoble, Kopfli, Knissly, and Küpfel. Depending on the region, the spelling of an ancestor’s name could have changed due to transcription errors, cultural influences, or other factors.
The surname Knöpfli can also be found among the Jewish populations in Switzerland and Germany. In these cases, the surnames could have evolved from Knöpfli when the original spelling was changed from Knöpfli to Knopp or Kopel.
In addition, there are other surnames which can be linked to Knöpfli, such as Knoepfli, Knoppel, Knopfler, Knopfel, Knopfli, and Knopple. Variants of these surnames can also be found in other languages such as French, Dutch, and Yiddish.
Overall, Knöpfli is a Swiss-German surname that shares a single origin with other surnames, and as such a variety of spellings, variants, and related names can all trace their origins back to the same family.
Famous people with the name Knöpfli
- Beni Knöpfli, Swiss comedian and actor.
- René Knöpfli, Swiss performance artist and activist.
- Gioacchino Knöpfli, Swiss-Italian sculptor.
- Johann Jakob Knöpfli, Swiss musician and composer.
- Martin Knöpfli, Swiss artist and illustrator.
- Christian Knöpfli, Swiss ice hockey player.
- Heinrich Knöpfli, Swiss politician and member of Parliament.
- Peter Knöpfli, Swiss botanist and professor.
- Karl Knöpfli, Swiss-American artist and professor.
- August Knöpfli, Swiss engineer and inventor.