Surname Knappich - Meaning and Origin
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Knappich: What does the surname Knappich mean?
The last name Knappich is of German origin, specifically Southwestern German Bavaria. The name is derived from the Middle High German term "knappe", meaning "knave," or "servant", which was a title of low nobility. This title of knave was used to describe a young man in the service of a nobleman or king.
Today, the surname Knappich is a common surname throughout Germany and Europe, as well as other parts of the world. The name is most prevalent in the Bavaria and Franconia regions of Germany, with a much lower concentration of families in other German-speaking countries and in the United States.
The surname Knappich is often associated with hardworking people, who strive to make their work meaningful and productive. They are individuals who are inspired by their work and take pride in a job done well. It also has deep roots in family and tradition, and those with the surname find importance in investing in their families and developing strong bonds with their relatives.
The last name Knappich is an important part of German history, culture and heritage, and is passed down through the generations as a reminder of traditions and values. Those who carry the name should take pride in its history and tradition, and strive to emulate the values associated with it in their daily lives.
Order DNA origin analysisKnappich: Where does the name Knappich come from?
The last name Knappich is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the states of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The family is believed to have originated in the German city of Konigstein im Taunus, near Frankfurt, and it has since spread to other German-speaking areas, including the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
Knappich is a fairly uncommon surname even in Germany. Data from a German surname analysis conducted in 2019 found that Knappich ranked 238th in popularity among German surnames, with an estimated 893 people sharing the surname.
In the United States, where more people have emigrated from Germany than any other country, the Knappich surname is even rarer. In fact, the last name database Ancestry.com indicates that Knappich is among the 1% least common surnames in the United States. As of the 2010 Census, the census bureau estimated there were only 128 people with the surname Knappich living in the United States at the time.
As can be seen, the last name Knappich is still somewhat common in its country of origin, but it has become rarer as its bearers have spread around the world. Despite this, if you carry the name of Knappich, you can feel proud to be part of a tradition that stretches back centuries.
Variations of the surname Knappich
The surname Knappich has a few variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the different spellings are Knapec, Knapicz, Knopec, Knopich, and Knopick. Other surnames of the same origin include Knöpke, Knosp, Knöss, Kneipp, Knopp, Knappich, Knopf, and Knappe.
The surname originates from the Middle High German word “Knappe”, which means “a knight or squire, a court servant”. The suffix “-ich”, which translates to “little”, was often added to the surname, thus giving it the name Knappich. This surname was likely given to someone who was associated with a knight or squire or served at a court.
The surname Knappich has been found in records from the 16th century, in Germany and the surrounding areas. In Germany, the surname has been found especially in the Sasov, Teuchtlingen, Frauenried, Ostringen, Bronschofen, and Mörnsheim areas. Records have also been found of Knappich in the United States, with the first immigrant bearing the surname arriving in New York in 1848.
The Knappich surname is, today, most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, though there are still some bearing the surname of Knappich in the United States. The variants and surnames of the same origin are still quite common in Germany and its surrounding areas.
Famous people with the name Knappich
- Gerald Knappich: former Austrian football player
- Jörg Knappich: German bass guitarist
- Erich Knappich: German theologian
- Werner Knäppich: German journalist
- Ioannis Knappich: Greek footballer
- Viorel Knappich: Romanian footballer
- Adam Knappich: German author
- Tharcisio Knappich: Brazilian footballer
- Bert Knappich: German astronomer
- Steven Knappich: German film director