Surname Knörrchen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Knörrchen: What does the surname Knörrchen mean?
The last name Knörrchen is of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German word knōzz, meaning "small lump or knob." This was used to refer to a person with a large rounded shape of the face or trunk. The name likely comes from a nickname given to someone for their physical features, which could be either flattering or unflattering. It could also have roots in a practice of referring to someone by referring to their physical appearance or a feature, such as a rounded face, short stature, or large build.
Over time, the name likely became more accepted as it became adopted by people to identify themselves and their families or adopted as family names to differentiate from other families using the same name. The name could also have been given as a sign of respect, indicating a recognition of the person's character or their abilities and achievements.
In modern times, the name Knörrchen has no clear definition. It is simply a surname that has been passed down through Germanic families for centuries. In Germany today, the name is still used and is usually translated to mean something similar to “Knob” or “Knot.”
Order DNA origin analysisKnörrchen: Where does the name Knörrchen come from?
The last name Knörrchen is a relatively rare name today, most often found within Germany and Dutch-speaking regions of Europe, as well as East-Central Europe. The name is especially popular in Bavaria and Saxony, two large states in Germany, though its usage is not incredibly widespread. It is possible to find the name amongst small pockets of German communities in other countries, such as the United States and Canada, but usually these populations are descendents of those who have been in the country for several generations or longer.
The origin of the name Knörrchen is rather mysterious, yet the few sources that attempt to explain it suggest it may be derived from the Middle High German and Old Saxon element "knorro" or "knurro", meaning "small, round tuft of hair, a gnarl or knot". This implies the original bearer of the name was likely a person with a noticeable tuft of hair.
The distinctive last name is primarily an occupational name, referencing the original bearer’s activity or profession and was likely originally assigned to an artisan who made items from wood or metal. Today, the name is usually found amongst those of German or Dutch descent or those related to these populations. Though it is still quite uncommon in comparison to other popular surnames, should you encounter a person with the last name Knörrchen, he or she is likely either of German or Dutch descent, or related to someone from this ancestral background.
Variations of the surname Knörrchen
Knörrchen is a German surname derived from the Old German term “Knör” meaning “small knot”. The spelling variants of the surname include: Knorrchen, Knorrchen, Knörchen, Knoehler, Knoerch, Knörkel, Knoerkel, Knoeckl, Knörzchen, and Knoorzchen, however, most commonly found in Germany and Switzerland is the spelling 'Knörrchen'.
The most popular variants and family names found across Europe and in Germany include Knurr, Knorr, Knoerr, Knörl and Knoerl. The variants Knurr and Knorr are most common among families living in Germany, while the variation Knoerr is mainly found in areas of western Germany, including Baden-Württemberg.
In Switzerland the spelling Knörchen is most popular as well as the variant Knörkel. The Knoerch family tree stems primarily from the Thuringian area and is still found there today.
Additionally, Knoorzchen and Knörzchen are two rare yet tested variants of the family name found in the Netherlands. A Dutch variant of the family name is Knoeckl, mainly found in the southernmost area of the country.
The majority of the aforementioned family names and variants all stem from the same hypothetical ancestor Knör, or “small knot”, and are found to be more or less one and the same family.
Famous people with the name Knörrchen
- Henning Knörrchen: German YouTuber and singer
- Bernd Knörrchen: former professional football player from West Germany
- Christina Knörrchen: German swimmer and Paralympic gold medalist
- Daniel Knörrchen: popular German actor
- Fritz Knörrchen: German mathematician and astronomer
- Henrik Knörrchen: former professional ice hockey player from Norway
- Julian Knörrchen: German athlete and former individual all-around artistic gymnastics world champion
- Lutz Knörrchen: German graphic designer, illustrator, and artist
- Mark Knörrchen: German ice hockey coach and former player
- Thomas Knörrchen: former mayor of Oberursel, Germany