Surname Knörgen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Knörgen: What does the surname Knörgen mean?
The surname Knörgen is of Germanic origin and was found most frequently in the Low German-speaking regions of northern Germany and the Netherlands. It is derived from the Middle High German word “knörge” or “knorge” which was used as a nickname for a strong or sturdy person. It is likely that it was given to someone who was dependable and reliable, or to someone who was also perhaps physically strong. This is further supported by the Middle Dutch spelling of the name: “knoorge,” which is derived from the Latin root “cornu,” meaning “horn” or “strength”.
The earliest record of the name appears to be a 1286 document from the region of Nordhausen, Germany, where a Fritike Knorgane was mentioned. In 1512, a German bishop used the spelling Knörge while referring to a parishioner named Johannes.
The name itself is still used today, although it is not as popular as it once was in German-speaking countries. It can still be found in the Upper Rhineland region of Germany, spanning from the Netherlands to Switzerland, as well as in other parts of Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Sweden. And due to emigration, the name can be found in other parts of the world, including North America.
Today, Knörgen is still seen as a reliable and strong surname and its historical roots are still evident. While its popularity has decreased over the years, it remains a proud reminder of its powerful and dependable meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisKnörgen: Where does the name Knörgen come from?
The last name Knörgen is primarily found in Germany today, with some variant spellings such as Knöringen, Knoergen, and Knuringen. It is a relatively rare surname, with an estimated 582 people with the last name in Germany as of early 2020.
The first record of the name can be traced back to 1352 when a Conrad von Knoringen was documented living in Germany. The surname was used fairly widely in the 16th and 17th centuries and spread to other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands and the Baltic regions.
The highest concentrations of Knörgen are in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. The area of Duchy Knoeringen is also located in the Bavarian municipality of Bavaria, and is likely the source of the surname for those found in these regions.
The name Knörgen is derived from the pre-7th century Old Germanic element "knoor" meaning "resin". It is thought to have been used as a surname to describe someone who sold or produced salt made from processed resin.
Today, those with the surname tend to live in the same regions their ancestors inhabited. They may work in professions related to the original meaning of the name, such as engineering, mechanics, or production, or their occupations may have evolved over time.
Variations of the surname Knörgen
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Knörgen include Knorgen, Knörgen, Knörgenn, Knöergen, Knörger, Knorger, Knorggen, Knorggenn, Knorggen, Knöörgen, Knöorger, Knöörger, Knöorggen, Knöorggenn, Knergen, Knerger, Knerggen, Knerggenn, Knargen, Knarger, Knarggen, Knarggenn, Knarffen, Knorffen, Knorffenn, Knorffen, Knörffen, Knörffenn.
Knörgen is a German surname of Saxon origin which is derived from the word ‘Knorre’, which means knotted. This surname has adopted different variants and spellings in each geographic region and over the years.
In Germany, Knorr is the standard form of the surname, while in Austria, Knoerr is the standard form. In Holland, the spelling is Knorring, and in Scandinavia, the form is Knorringen, while it is Knarling in Finland.
In some areas of Germany, especially in the Westphalia region, the surname has been anglicized to Knorrig. Similarly, in the regions of Thuringia and Hessen, Knörgen has been shortened to Knöger and Knösen.
The Knörgen surname can also be found in the United States, where it has been altered to Knorren and Knorring. In other parts of Europe, such as France and Belgium, the name has become Knéron or Nourron.
In all its forms, the surname Knörgen is a testament to the impact of family and its power to shape a surname over time, while still retaining its core meaning.
Famous people with the name Knörgen
- Alexander Knörgen, German sculptor who worked in the Neoclassical style.
- Erwin Knörgen, German ballet dancer who spent his career in Germany and the United States.
- Ferdinand Knörgen, German architect primarily known for his building designs in the Gothic Revival style.
- Hermann Knörgen, sculptor who specialized in animals and genre figures.
- Ignaz Knörgen, Austrian sculptor from the Baroque period.
- Jakob Knörgen, German bibliographer and librarian who wrote extensively on the history of the book trade.
- Marie-Louise Knörgen, German theater director and poet who was part of the Expressionist movement in Berlin.
- Ottilien Knörgen, German classical philologist and professor of Greek literature in Berlin.
- Peter Knörgen, Austrian cellist who was one of the first to perform the cello concerto written by Edward Elgar.
- Wilhelm Knörgen, German soldier from the World War I era who is known for his memoirs and accounts of trench warfare.