Surname Knappek - Meaning and Origin
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Knappek: What does the surname Knappek mean?
The last name Knappek is of German origin and is derived from the word 'knapp', meaning 'funds, money'. The name may have been originally given to one who managed a household's funds as a 'Knappmeister', or a 'Knapward', someone who oversaw the use of funds. It may also be related to the German word 'Knap', meaning 'steep hill or hilltop'. This suggests that the original bearer of this name may have lived in a settlement located on a steep hillside. In some cases, it may be derived from the Greek word 'knapsis' meaning 'bag, pocket'.
The surname Knappek is most common in Germany, where it is also spelled Knappke, Knappeck, Knaepke or Knapke. In North America today, it is found in both the United States and Canada. Aside from Germany, it is also found in Austria, Switerland, and the Netherlands.
The earliest known mention of the name is in a mention of ecstatic Brethren baptized by Jochim Frömmig in 1623 in the Brandenburg district of Germany. Today, descendants of those original immigrants bearing the name Knappek can be found in many areas throughout North America. The name is not especially common among English speakers, but is more common among German-speaking areas in the United States and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisKnappek: Where does the name Knappek come from?
The last name Knappek is most commonly found in Germany, and is especially concentrated in the south-west region. It is also present in Austria, the Netherlands, France, and the United States. The German version of the family name is Knappeck or Knappek, and it is derived from the Old German meaning "plucky or resourceful". It is a habitational name meaning someone who originally lived in a place called Knapp. The Knapp family is very old and is believed to have originated in the Rhineland area. It is mentioned in records dating back to 1100 AD.
In the United States, the last name Knappek is most common in the mid-Atlantic states - Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware - where many German-speaking settlers first arrived in the late 1700s. The largest concentration of Knappeks is currently found in Pennsylvania. There is also a sizable population of Knappeks in California, which is a relatively recent development since the last name did not become popular in this part of the world until the mid-twentieth century.
Knappeks in Germany have usually held positions of some importance in their communities, and often led successful businesses. They were farmers, merchants, and brewers, and some became quite wealthy. Many also played a role in their local governments.
Today, the last name Knappek is found in a variety of areas throughout the world, some of which are states of the United States, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, among many other places. There are likely many other descendants of the Knapp family carrying the family name, but they may have changed or shortened it over the years.
Variations of the surname Knappek
The surname Knappek is a variant of the Polish name Knapek, which is derived from the Polish word "knapik" meaning small. It is also occasionally spelled as Knappeck, Knapick, Knapik, Knapack and Knapacz.
Knapków is a derivative form of Knappek, found mainly among Polish-speaking residents of countries outside of Poland. Other variants include Knapkov, Knoppek, Knopek, Knapkowicz and Knapcek.
The various spellings of Knappek were variously distributed across Poland in the late 19th century. Today, spellings of the name are found in Germany, Austria, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Russia.
The surname can be translated as 'little man' from the Old Polish words knap and peknik. It can also be translated as 'someone who often moves around' from knap meaning 'to move around', and pek meaning 'something often or persistent'.
In addition to the Polish variants, some individuals with the surname Knappek may have a different origin. A variant form of the surname found in France could be a derivative of the French word 'knappe' meaning 'grouchy man'. Other possible origins include German knapp, meaning 'brave', Old Dutch knappe, meaning 'brisk one', and Dutch knappe, meaning 'clever'.
Famous people with the name Knappek
- Karl Knappek: German free-style skier who first competed in alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics and later represented Germany in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
- Wolfgang Knappek: Austrian composer, writer and actor who wrote over forty musicals and was awarded the German Music Promotion Award for Contemporary Music Theater composers.
- Chris Knappek: American equestrian sportsman who is five times World Champion in Endurance and has won multiple European Championships.
- Alexander Knappek: German-born actor who has appeared in numerous films and television series including The Borgias, Lola and the Boy Next Door and A Girl Like Her.
- Peter Knappek: Austrian painter and sculptor known for his expressionist paintings and figures.
- Mark Knappek: Canadian soccer player who plays for the Hamilton Steelhawks in the Première Ligue de soccer du Québec.
- Martin Knappek: Austrian alpine skier and ski instructor who competed at the 2004 and 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Egon Knappek: German writer who published three novels and liberal essays.
- Gertrude Knappek: German-born author who published a book about her life during World War II.
- Karl-Heinz Knappek: German professional footballer who played in the German Bundesliga and has scored two hat-tricks in his career.