Surname Knowd - Meaning and Origin
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Knowd: What does the surname Knowd mean?
The last name Knowd is of Scottish origin and is thought to have come from the Gaelic phrase "cnoc," which translates to "hill." It is likely that the families who first adopted this name began living near a particular hill, and adopted Knowd as their family name. It is also possible that this surname began as a nickname for someone who was seen as wise or knowledgeable.
In modern-day Scotland, the spelling of the surname can vary slightly, and also take the form of Knowld, Knowles, or Knowles-Knowd. The version of the name with "Knowles" as part of it is believed to have come about as a result of the adoption of a Scottish mother's maiden name by a son or daughter.
The surname Knowd is not common today, but is most commonly found in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. In the nineteenth century, several individuals with the Knowd surname emigrated, mainly from Scotland, mostly to the United States, Canada, and Australia, resulting in the name becoming more widespread.
The Knowd family motto is "Virtus semper viridis," which translates to "Virtue is evergreen." As this is a proverb that encourages living by high moral standards, it seems to fit with the idea of the name Knowd being associated with wisdom and knowledge.
Order DNA origin analysisKnowd: Where does the name Knowd come from?
The last name Knowd is most commonly found today in the United States, with a notable presence in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In the US, it is most commonly found in states across the midwest, like Indiana, Minnesota, and Illinois, as well as in some New England states, like Vermont and New Hampshire. The name is commonly associated with Irish origin, and the distribution of the surname suggests that many individuals having the family name likely originated from the same area in Ireland.
Though not as common as some other last names, the Knowd family has its own unique and interesting history. The origin of the name is unknown, though it is likely that the name originated first as a nickname. Some historians have speculated that the name may have come from the Celtic element "cnod," meaning a sign or symbol. This connection would suggest that the name may have taken root in Ireland as a marked symbol for an individual or family.
The Knowd family most likely arrived in the United States as part of the Great Irish Famine, when millions of people were forced to leave Ireland due to terrible poverty. They would have first settled in the east coast states like Massachusetts and New York before expanding westward through the midwest and eventually, across the entire nation.
Over the years, the surname has spread across the world, with members of the Knowd family found in the US, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, among other countries. With extended family around the world, the Knowd family has managed to stay connected and create a global network. This connection gives members of the Knowd family a historical and cultural identity they can take pride in.
Variations of the surname Knowd
The surname Knowd has several variants and spellings, as well as related surnames of the same origin. These include Knowld, Knowle, Knowl, Knowlden, Knowles, Knowling, Knowlinge, and Knowlingg.
Knowd is an English surname believed to have derived from the Old English word, cnoll, which meant hill top or hillock. It is likely that Knowd was an occupational name referring to someone who lived, worked, or held some other rights on a knoll or hill. Its earliest recorded use was in the 12th century when it was used as a surname in various documents from Lincolnshire, England.
Knowld and Knowle are probably the most commonly used variants of the surname. It is thought that Knowles is derived from Knowld, while Knowling may be referring to a family or kin group.
Knowlden is an alternate spelling for Knowld, which could refer to an individual or family who were from a particular place on a hill. The surname Knowlinge may mean that the original family descended from a place that was known by the given name.
Knowl is a spelling variant that was commonly used in German documents from the 13th century onwards. It is possible that the Knowd surname could have derived from the German language, as variants of the surname appear in German records from around the same time.
Lastly, Knowlingg is an alternate spelling of Knowling and could suggest a connection to a family or kin group. It is possible that the surname came from an area within England or Germany.
Famous people with the name Knowd
- Derek Knowd: Known globally as the former manager of the popular UK boy band One Direction from 2010-2015 and current manager of the group's solo acts.
- Gregory Knowd: An award-winning American chef and restaurateur, and former contestant on the popular TV cooking show "Chopped".
- Michael Knowd: NASCAR driver and the 2021 Daytona 500 polesitter.
- William Knowd: Recognized as one of the most influential American Presidents, having served from 1953-1961.
- Henrietta Knowd: An international ballet dancer and choreographer whose work has been seen in major cities across the world.
- Alexia Knowd: A world-renowned film and television actress, best known for her lead role in the hit Netflix series "Strangers".
- Nigel Knowd: A British artist and sculptor whose works have been featured in major galleries worldwide.
- Paul Knowd: An Olympic gold-medalist and Paralympic champion in track and field.
- Emma Knowd: A professional snowboarder and member of the Canadian national team with several World Cup victories.
- Loretta Knowd: Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter who has sold millions of albums worldwide.