Surname Knobels - Meaning and Origin

Knobels: What does the surname Knobels mean?

KNOBELS (or Knóbl, Knöbl, Knuebel and other variants) is a patronymic German last name indicating an ancestor from Middle High German origin and meaning a knave. To be specific, a "Knobel" is an immature or unpleasant person.

The surname Knobels was historically associated with the Middle Ages and was used to describe persons of a lower class, such as artisans and tradesmen. The name was also used for people who lived in small towns or villages, and often indicated an inherited occupation.

While there is no definitive record of where the surname originated, it is believed to have been derived from the Middle High German "knobel" which means a knave. The root word “knobele” may come from the Old High German “knobo,” meaning “a hard worker.” This might indicate a worker who was hardworking but relatively low in social status.

The last name Knobels is not very common today, but descendants of the original family lines can still be found around Germany and other North-Central European countries.

As a surname, Knobels is an interesting reminder of the social and economic conditions that people used to face during the Middle Ages, and a testament to how far we’ve come since then.

Knobels: Where does the name Knobels come from?

Knobels is a surname of German origin. Despite its popularity in Germany, this name is not common in other parts of the world. It is usually found in the German states of Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse, with smaller concentrations in some other German states. Additionally, the last name Knobels can be found in Switzerland and Austria, where it is relatively uncommon.

In the United States, the surname Knobels is more widely spread. While the exact numbers aren't known, it is estimated that there are between 500 and 1,000 individuals who have this surname in the United States. Many of them are first or second-generation immigrants, as the name was one of the names chosen by German immigrants who arrived in the country during the 19th century.

Though the name is not common, individuals who bear the surname Knobels can be found in various parts of the United States. Census data has identified states such as Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York as having particularly large concentrations of Knobels. Additionally, there are smaller populations of Knobels in states such as Kentucky, West Virginia, and Indiana.

Overall, Knobels is a rare and unique name but its presence in the USA and other parts of the world shows that it is still alive and thriving.

Variations of the surname Knobels

The surname Knobels is derived from a German word meaning "lump, clod, or knob". The surname has been traced back to the Middle Ages and can be anglicized from the original spelling of Knoebel, Knöbel, or Knubel. It can also be spelled Knoble, Knobel, Knobell, Knoble, Knobill, Knobbley, Knobles, Knobls, Knobeles, Knobeles, Knoblish, Knoboly, and Knobolls. This surname is known by many variants, especially in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Knobels is one of many German surnames that evolved from Middle High German words meaning "specific characteristics". In this case, it is believed to have derived from the word "knobel" meaning a "lump", "clod" or "knob". It also could have come from the nickname kEnneyoblan, meaning "one who lives on a steep slope".

Variants of this surname can also be found similar to Knobels, such as Knobles, Knoble, Knubel, Knoebel, Knobeles, Knobell, Knoble, Knobill, Knobbley, Knobls, Knobish, Knoboly, and Knobolls. It could also appear as Knobel, Noebel, Neubel, Neble, Nibel, Nobel, and Nobel.

Many of these variants have become common throughout the world, with the surname appearing in many different countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is believed that the surname originated around the Federal Republic of Germany and has recorded examples appear in the United Kingdom in the 18th century.

Famous people with the name Knobels

• Paul Knobel, German; military officer who served the Prussian Empire during the Franco-Prussian War as a Major General.
• Ernst-Wolfgang Knobelsdorff, German; architect, artist, and stage designer during the Weimar Republic and during the Third Reich.
• Georg Knobelsdorff, German; historical painter and scenic designer for theatre and opera.
• Clara Knobel, British; classical soprano singer and contemporary music specialist who was a member of the BBC Singers.
• Gustav Knobelspiess, German; Olympian who participated in the 1936 Winter Olympics and was a member of the German luge team.
• Bernhard Knobelsdorf, German; general of aviation and commander-in-chief of Air Forces in the Army High Command during World War I.
• Charles Knobel, American; photographer of landscapes, nature, and wildlife who is renowned for his black-and-white photographs.
• Egon Knobel, Austrian; physicist and professor at the University of Vienna who has written several monographs and works on mathematical physics.
• Drew Knobel, American; mathematician and professor at the University of Houston who has written on differential geometry and algebraic topology.
• Erich Knobel, German; politician and minister of culture for Lower Saxony under the administration of Minister-President Sigmar Gabriel.

Other surnames

KnobelKnobelauchKnobeloch