Surname Knoble - Meaning and Origin
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Knoble: What does the surname Knoble mean?
The surname Knoble is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "knoblauch," which means garlic, and is likely an occupational name for a grower or seller of garlic. The name Knoble may also be a variant of the German surname Knobloch, which is derived from the Old High German word "chnoobol," meaning a round knob or head. The name Knoble is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, and England, although variations of the name can be found throughout Europe.
The message behind the name Knoble is one of endurance. It carries a sense of tenacity and firmness that suggests that those with the last name are strong-willed and determined. In many ways, those with the surname Knoble are survivors, having come from humble beginnings of garlic sellers and farmers and emerging resilient and purposeful.
The Knoble family crest is a gold helmet surmounted with three stalks of garlic. The crest suggests that this is a family with deep working-class roots, through which its members have achieved notable success. It also reflects the family's pride in their connection to the garlic-growing industry, and serves as an apt symbol of their strength and resilience.
Order DNA origin analysisKnoble: Where does the name Knoble come from?
The last name Knoble is most commonly found in the United States today. According to records from the US Census Bureau in 2020 there were over 1,700 individuals with the last name Knoble living in the country. The largest concentrations of the Knoble surname can be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.
Pennsylvania is home to the most Knobles with just over 600 people with this last name living in the state according to the census data. Having migrated from Europe, Knobles are most likely of German or European (especially Prussian) descent. The familial line may have furthermore originated in the former Grand Duchy of Pomerania, which is near the present-day city of Szczecin, Poland.
Ohio comes in second in terms of the number of Knobles residing in the state with just over 400 people recorded in the census. Interestingly, the city of Cleveland has the largest number of Knobles in Ohio. Those of the Knoble last name in Ohio may be of Prussian, German, or Dutch heritage.
Thirdly, New York follows with over 300 individuals claiming the Knoble surname living in the state. Out of those, many live in Manhattan or in surrounding New York City boroughs. It is likely that the Knobles of New York are descended from Prussian or German immigrants, though many may also trace their heritage back to the Netherlands.
Today, many Knobles still live in the same parts of the United States where their families first settled. While the distribution is on the decline in the US, the population is still strong and growing in the locations stated above.
Variations of the surname Knoble
The surname Knoble is derived from the Middle High German word knubil, meaning a knot or a knob, and was most likely first used as a nickname to describe someone with a round face, a large head, or a protruding forehead. In some cases, Knoble may have also been a topographic name to describe someone who lived on or near a knob or a hill.
Variants and spellings of Knoble include Knobl, Knopel, Knobel, Knabel, Knopfle, Knopfler, and Knopfel. Hyphenated spellings, such as Knob-le, Knoble-Knopel, and Knobel-Knopel are also found.
Surnames with similar origins include Knoblich, Knoblichkeit, Knoblis, Knoblauch, and Knoblock. Other variant spellings of Knoble include Knoblauch, Knobil, Knobell, Knobel, and Knobloch.
The Knoble surname is found primarily in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Switzerland. It is most common in Germany where it is estimated that there are currently more than 10,000 people with the surname. It is also found in parts of Austria, France, the Netherlands, and Poland.
Famous people with the name Knoble
- Luke Knoble: American professional ice hockey goaltender who formerly played for HC Bolzano Foxes in the Alps Hockey League.
- Thayne Knoble: American plant ecologist and Environmental Science professor at Fort Lewis College.
- Jim Knoble: American professional educator, politician and former basketball coach. He was a member of the California State Assembly.
- Allen Knoble: American author, and freelance writer and public speaker who has written about WWI and WWII, and the US-Soviet arms race.
- Janna Knoble: American medical researcher who has conducted studies on the mechanisms of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis.
- Joe Knoble: American game show host, best known for hosting the popular quiz show Jeopardy!.
- Seth Knoble: American former soccer player who played professionally in Major Indoor Soccer League and American Soccer League. He now is a VP and founder at charities like Friends of Haiti and Center for Active Compassion.
- Patrick Knoble: American entrepreneur and investor who is best known as the founder, former CEO, and current Chief Investment Officer of investing app, Webull.