Surname Knorz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Knorz: What does the surname Knorz mean?
The surname Knorz is derived from the Middle High German word "knorze" which means "a dwarf or a small creature". The name could have been the occupational name for someone who was a maker of small objects such as buttons or coins. It may have also been given to someone who was short in stature.
In some cases, the surname Knorz has been found among Ashkenazi Jews. Other spellings for this name include Knorzdy and Knorzd. It is believed that this variation emerged as a result of migration or to make the name easier to spell and pronounce.
The origin of the surname Knorz is uncertain and its current distribution is unknown. It is likely to be found across Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in parts of North America. Bearers of the name have helped shape the history of countries they have settled in and contributed to the advancement of various societies.
Today, the surname Knorz is mainly associated with families of German descent, however, individuals of other backgrounds may also be found bearing this surname. Bearers of the surname Knorz may come from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and have different religious beliefs.
Order DNA origin analysisKnorz: Where does the name Knorz come from?
The last name Knorz is most commonly found in Germany and the United States today.
In Germany, it is common in the Bavarian region, extending up the Rhine Valley and down toward the Austrian border. The name has its earliest recorded origins in Bavaria, dating back to the 12th century. Most of its bearers in Germany today are descended from original branches located across the region, though some may be of more recent immigrants.
In the United States, records of Knorz families can be traced as far back as the late 18th century, primarily in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. German immigrants began to arrive in those states in the 19th century, and as of 2000, the US Census found that around 200 people carried the surname across the country.
The name is more rare today than it has been throughout its history, yet the most well-known modern bearer of the name is the prominent German Catholic theologian Karl Josef Knorz.
Variations of the surname Knorz
Knorz is a surname of German or Prussian origin that can be spelled multiple ways, including Knortz, Knurz, Knerz, Knürz, Knörtz, Knötz, Knertz, Knartz, and Knärtz, among others. Many of these variations of the Knorz surname can be found in documents from German and Prussian archives and churches.
In addition to these variations, there are numerous other surnames that can be traced back to the same origin as the Knorz surname. Some of these related surnames include Knortz, Knurts, Knartz, Knerz, Knorches, Knorch, Knecht, Knoll, Kneller, Knopp, Knip, Knipp, Knapp, Kramer, Kremer, Kletz, and Klaassen.
Many of these variations of the Knorz surname can be found throughout German-speaking countries today, with Spain, Poland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the United States also being counted among their home countries.
The popularity of the Knorz surname has fluctuated throughout the years in different regions and countries, but its prevalence within the German-speaking world is fairly universal. In fact, according to the records of the National Geographical Institute of Spain, it is among the most frequent surnames in Germany.
The Knorz surname is also popular among those whose ancestry traces back to the countries of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. This includes countries such as present-day Hungary, Slovakia, and parts of Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia.
Although the popularity of the Knorz surname has faded in some parts of the world, its presence in both Germany and in other countries is still very much felt by those who trace their ancestries back to the region. By researching the various spellings of the Knorz surname, many people can uncover their newly discovered cultural history.
Famous people with the name Knorz
- Sarah Knorz, German TV presenter and media consultant.
- Justin Knorz, Swiss musician and record producer.
- Willi Knorz, German composer and musicologist.
- Tobias Knorz, German physicist and spectroscopy expert.
- Baron Karl Knorz, Austrian automobile engineer, inventor, and race car driver.
- Stephen Knorz, Italian sculptor of wood and other materials.
- Hermann Knorz, German Olympic gold medalist in sport shooting.
- Peter Knorz, German film director of assorted genres.
- August Knorz, German portrait painter of the Biedermeier era.
- Ernest Knorz, Swiss footballer.
- Clemens Knorz, German film director and actor.
- Caroline Knorz, German playwright and author.
- Deborah Knorz, Austrian singer and actress.
- Matthias Knorz, German fencer and Olympic gold medalist.
- Maryellen Knorz, American graphic designer and illustrator.