Surname Knor - Meaning and Origin
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Knor: What does the surname Knor mean?
The surname Knor is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Middle Dutch term "knorre," which means a knot or lump in wood, or a gnarled growth on a tree. It was typically used as a nickname for an individual who was tough, hardy, or person considered to be as unyielding and staunchly stubborn as a knot in wood. However, like many surnames, the exact symbolism can vary and may have different meanings or derivations in different regional contexts. It's also important to note that spelling variations of Dutch names are extremely frequent due to transliteration from the Dutch language to English, so the name could also possibly appear as Knoor, Knorr, or other similar forms.
Order DNA origin analysisKnor: Where does the name Knor come from?
The surname Knor is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "knerre" which translates to "spinster" - a female occupant who spins. The name primarily originated from occupational naming customs, possibly used to denote a family where the matriarch or some female member was a spinner by profession. It is also speculated that Knor could have emerged as a variation of the surname Knoor or Knorr which have similar geo-linguistic roots. Surname distribution data indicate that this surname is not highly common today and is scarcely scattered across the globe. However, it can be found with the highest frequency in Germany, specifically in northern parts such as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Elsewhere, minor clusters of people with the surname Knor exist in the United States, particularly in states like Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York. There is also an observable presence of this surname in parts of Eastern Europe like the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Despite its unique origin, it remains a fairly rare surname in the contemporary world.
Variations of the surname Knor
The surname Knor can be spelt in a variety of ways due to regional and historical differences. These variations include Knorr, Knor, Knohr, Knauer, and Knaur. Similar sounding but slightly different surnames like Kanor, Knorring, Knorrer, Knura and Knore may possibly relate to it too.
Kaunz, Knarr, Knaurs, Knaure, and Knaurs could also be seen as variations. Notably, the variation 'Knorr' is quite common, especially in German-speaking countries. Knore, Kneer, Knier, and Knuhr could be other potential spellings.
The origin of the surname Knor is believed to be German. Its Old German root, "Knorr," primarily means a knot or a gnarl, and could have been used as a topographic name for someone who lived by a distinctive gnarled tree. Alternatively, it could be an occupational name for a maker of balls or clumps of twine.
That said, always consider that surname derivations can often be influenced by several factors including phonetic changes, cultural evolution, geographical relocations, and even clerical errors. So research into individual family histories is always recommended for more specific and accurate lineage tracing.
Famous people with the name Knor
- Ernst Knor, former member of the Swiss Federal Council.
- Peter Knor, Austrian actor.
- Bertold Knor, former president of the Salzburger Haussegen.
- Atze Knor, retired German road bicycle racer.
- Laura Knor, German theatre and film actress.
- Benjamin Knor, German actress.
- Johannes Knor, German author and screenwriter.
- Olaf Knor, German football player.
- Tony Knor, German designer.
- Bernard Knor, retired American professional basketball player.
- Dirk Knor, Dutch former professional basketball player.
- Adam Knor, Polish appellate court judge.
- Jack Knor, British innovator and entrepreneur.
- Heribert Knor, German philosopher, theologian, and emeritus professor at the University of Münster.
- Gunta Knor, Latvian swimmer.
- Krisztina Knor-Monok, Hungarian writer, journalist, and literary critic.
- Karla Knor, Czech singer and composer.
- Petra Knor-Knecht, German estate agent and politician.
- Jorn Knor, Norwegian photographer.
- Doreen Knor, German Olympic champion swimmer.