Surname Knagg - Meaning and Origin

Knagg: What does the surname Knagg mean?

The last name Knagg is of English origin, derived from English ancestry and records dating back to the 12th century. It was a topographic name for someone who lived near a jutting out hill, hilltop, or outcrop, derived from the Old English word “cnag”. The spelling variations of the name Knagg include Knagge, Knaggs, Knagges, Knagge, Knag and others.

In England, the Knagg surname dates back to the Medieval period, when there was an abundance of hilltops all around the area. It was quite common for citizens to use topographic names to distinguish neighborhoods from one another. During the Middle Ages, land and property ownership was expensive, so it was beneficial to residents to have a specific name they could call their own.

The Knagg surname is most commonly found in the southern counties of England, especially Surrey where records have been traced back to the early 1600s. During the War of the Roses, many members of the Knagg family settled in Ireland and Scotland.

The early generations of the Knagg family were mainly skilled workers in the village who labored as agricultural workers, such as farmers, cattle herders, and sheep herders. As the population of the United Kingdom grew, the Knagg family turned to more professional endeavors such as smiths, tailors, masons, merchants, or even brewers.

Today, the Knagg name has spread all across the world. They are found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Although the name is no longer connected to topographical features, many of the Knaggs remain as loyal custodians of the environment, preserving the beauty of the hills, woods, and streams.

Knagg: Where does the name Knagg come from?

The last name Knagg is most often found in the United Kingdom. It is especially common in England, where records show that approximately 3,084 people bear the name, mainly concentrated around the Berkshire, Surrey, Devon, and Gloucestershire counties.

This is in stark contrast to the United States, where the name is relatively uncommon. According to US census data, only about 1,184 people carry the surname across the entire country.

The name Knagg seems to have originated in Anglo-Saxon Britain. This is evident in the early spellings "Cnagg" and "Knagg", where "nagg" probably derives from an older Germanic personal name prefixed with the letter 'K'.

It seems that there is still a significant concentration of the name within Britain today. That said, in recent years there has been a slight decline in the number of people with this surname, in both the United States and Europe. This could be the result of demographic and migratory shifts or simply a diminishing of the population due to the effects of mortality.

Variations of the surname Knagg

The surname Knagg is believed to have originated from in England. The earliest records of the name were found in Lancashire, where the name was first spelled as Knagge. Over the years, the spelling of the surname evolved and it became known as Knagg and Knag.

Variants of the surname Knagg include Nagge, Knaggs, Knag, Nag, Naigge, Knead, Kneed and Knegg. The name can also be found spelled as Knage and the double g variant Knaggs.

The surname Knagg is believed to have its roots in the Old English word knaege, which is derived from the Old Norse knaggr meaning branch from a tree. This name was likely given as an occupational name to a woodworker or carpenter in England. There is also a Dutch variant of the name, spelled as Knagge.

Some people with the surname Knagg have adopted other spelling variants for their name, such as Knaack, Knagge, Knaeker, Kneben and Knieper. Other surname spellings include Knag, Knaggs, Naigge, Nagg and Knead.

Some other surnames that share the same origins as Knagg include Knaggs, Kneed, Knegg, Nagge, Knagge and Nag. All of these surnames are variants of the same name, Knagg.

Surnames can be spelt differently due to transcribing errors, regional dialects or personal preference. However, all of the surnames listed can be linked back to the same origin of the name Knagg.

Famous people with the name Knagg

• Linda Knaggs; British pop artist, fashion designer, and businesswoman.
• Lisa Knaggs; British radio presenter, actress, and public speaker.
• Les Knaggs; English musician, songwriter, and record producer.
• Rik Knaggs; former professional golfer.
• Steve Knaggs; British politician and Member of Parliament.
• Mark Knaggs; Canadian ice hockey player.
• Jim Knaggs; former American football coach.
• Darlene Knaggs; Canadian actress, comedian, and playwright.
• Bob Knaggs; American jazz drummer.
• Kenneth Knaggs; artist and professor.
• James Knaggs; American engineer and entrepreneur.
• Thomas Knaggs; former professional rugby player.
• Pat Knaggs; American baseball player.
• Stephen Knaggs; food author and columnist.
• Jordan Knaggs; British actor and activist.

Other surnames

KnaggeKnaggs