Surname Knoph - Meaning and Origin
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Knoph: What does the surname Knoph mean?
The surname Knoph is of German origin. However, its exact meaning is not fully documented or clear. Like many surnames, it may have referred to a particular family's occupation, the physical characteristics of an ancestor, their locality, or even a personal nickname. Surnames have evolved over centuries, and have distinct meanings in different cultures and regions. It's also noted that names and their spellings have often changed over time, which can make it difficult to trace their origins and full meanings. Therefore, without a more specific context or further historical records, it's tricky to precisely define the meaning behind the surname Knoph. If you are interested in the meaning of your surname, a genealogical research or a professional examination of your family history might provide more personalized and detailed information.
Order DNA origin analysisKnoph: Where does the name Knoph come from?
The last name Knoph appears to have German origins. The use of such patronymic surnames started in Germany around the 12th century. "Knopf" is a German word which translates to "button" in English. Over the years, due to migration and various spellings, the surname might have been altered to "Knoph." This surname could also originate from the Middle High German "Knopf" or "Knoff," meaning "a hill or peak," indicating that the original bearer lived near such a location.
In contemporary times though, it's not commonly found in Germany. Based on available databases, the last name Knoph is quite rare globally. The most significant clusters of people with the Knoph surname are mainly in the United States, particularly in the states of South Dakota, Hawaii, California, and Ohio. Though it should be noted that even in these areas, the frequency remains relatively low.
Variations of the surname Knoph
The surname Knoph is likely of Germanic origin, but it's quite rare and specific variants or related surnames aren't widely documented. However, considering spelling variations or phonetic similarities, potential variants could be Knop, Knope, Knoop, Knope, Knupp, and Knopf. These surnames could all possibly have derived from the same root. In English-speaking regions, it could be confused or interchangeably used with names like Knopfer or Knapper.
Surnames that are similar in origin or meaning often come from common professions, geographical areas, or descriptive traits in the old Germanic languages. For instance, the name "Knopf" is known to mean "button" in German, referring to a button maker or seller.
Remember that the record-keeping in past centuries wasn't consistent and names were routinely recorded as they sounded phonetically, including surnames which could lead to variations in spelling over time.
To definitively trace and verify variants and the origins of the surname Knoph, more detailed genealogical research or a lookup in a specialized database of surnames would be required, due to its rarity.
Famous people with the name Knoph
- Atle Knoph: Norwegian artist
- Christian Knoph: German classical philologist and archaeologist
- David Knoph: Norwegian photographer
- Bjørn Knoph: Norwegian Paralympic swimmer
- Christopher Knoph: German composer
- Robert Knoph: Norwegian business leader
- Klara Knoph: Norwegian aviator
- Hanna Knoph: Norwegian cyclist
- Birger Knoph: Norwegian footballer
- Eric Knoph: American actor, director, and producer
- Amanda Knoph: Norwegian model
- Nils Knoph: Norwegian speed skater
- Christina Knoph: Norwegian actor
- Helena Knoph: Norwegian handball player
- Johannes Knoph: Norwegian politician
- Isabella Knoph: Danish international footballer
- Anne Knoph: Norwegian director and producer
- Kari Knoph: Norwegian alpine skier
- Paul Knoph: German swimmer
- Morten Knoph: Danish sculptor