Surname Knaupp - Meaning and Origin

Knaupp: What does the surname Knaupp mean?

The last name Knaupp is of German origin and is thought to have been derived from a nickname meaning "short nose" or "short snout". This nickname most likely originated from an early person in the family who had a noticeably shorter nose than those around him and was thusly bestowed the nickname Knaupp (Knaus in German).

There are several different ancestries that could give rise to the name Knaupp. It could be descended from a German or Norse-Viking surname, but there is no exact record of its origin. Furthermore, the name itself could have changing spellings throughout the centuries as German is notoriously difficult to transcribe into the English language.

In contemporary times, the name is still popular throughout Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland. Relatively few people in the United States share the Knaupp name, though there are a few who may trace their heritage back to German-speaking countries.

The Knaupp surname could have been used for nicknaming purposes related to a person’s appearance, or by a family living near a distinctive physical feature, such as a short hill, small lake or a cave. Therefore, Knaupp could be a variant of the German words “knauf” or “knopf”, meaning “a knob or a lump”. Alternatively, the “knaus” in German means “short, stubby or squat” and could have been used to describe a person’s physical shape or height. Whatever its origins, the name Knaupp is a fascinating part of the European family tree, and its true source and origin may never be fully known.

Knaupp: Where does the name Knaupp come from?

The last name Knaupp is most commonly found in Germany. It is an uncommonly spelled version of the more traditional German surname, Knauf. There is evidence that the Knaupp family has been living in German-speaking regions for hundreds of years.

The earliest reference to the last name dates back to 1771 in the pasoral census of Aschaffenburg, Germany. In a 1797 survey of taxpayers in southern Hesse, what is now western Germany, the name appears again. The surname appears again and again up to the present day in both Germany and in regions where German settlers have moved.

The last name from Germany, Knaupp, is today particularly common in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as in parts of north-west Baden-Württemberg and the former East German state of Thuringia. It is also found in the former local governments of Anhalt and Magdeburg.

In more recent years, the surname has also spread to other countries. It can now be found in other parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, and even Australia.

Whether the spelling of the last name is "Knaupp" or "Knauf" the family has been present in German-speaking regions for centuries and this family legacy continues today in different parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Knaupp

The surname Knaupp is an occupational surname with Germanic roots. It derives from the Middle High German "knape" or the Middle Low German "knappe," both of which mean "boy; servant; follower." This surname was used to denote the son of a Freeman or gentleman, in the sense of a knave, and was first found in the region of Bavaria.

Variants of the surname Knaupp include Knaub, Knepe, Knep, Knop, Knopf, Knaack, Knack, Knoop, Knoopf, Knipp, Knippe, Knupp, Knup, Knepp, Knaup, Knupf, Knupff, Knopff, Knuppe, Knoppe, Knaubs, Knauff, and Krupp. These spellings are often interchangeable, so it is common to even find double spellings - for example, Knauff and Knaupf used together.

Originally, versions of the name Knaupp would have included Sephardic and Ashkenaz versions – Knap, Nak, Nap, Napp – from the Hebrew Naf.

Surnames that are related to the name Knaupp include Kraft, Krafft, Knaff and Knable, Knapton, Knapman, Knopfler, Knouff, Knodel, Knodell, Knockel, Knotts, Knottsman, Knudson, Knapik, Knabjian, Knipple, and Knops. It is not uncommon for these related names to get Anglicized, such as Knable becoming Nobles.

As surnames can often change from generation to generation, and spellings can be distorted and creative, the variations on the surname Knaupp are potentially endless.

Famous people with the name Knaupp

• Henry Knaupp: Henry is an American actor notable for appearing in movies and television shows such as The West Wing, Criminal Minds, and NCIS: Los Angeles.
• Cole Knaupp: Cole is an American film editor, well known for his work on television series such as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, NYPD Blue, and Chicago Hope.
• Eric Knaupp: Eric is a professional photographer and filmmaker from the United States, having contributed to films like The Avengers, The Birth of a Nation, and Selma.
• Maja Knaupp: Maja is a Swedish costume designer known for her work on films like The Snow Eaten Stars, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and The Girl Who Played With Fire.
• Doug Knaupp: Doug is an American television producer whose credits include The Sopranos, The Shield, and Deadwood.
• Percy Knaupp: Percy is an American athlete and former track and field star who competed in the 1976 Olympics.
• Gordon Knaupp: Gordon is an American entrepreneur and businessman, founder of the popular online dating platform, Match.com.
• Kati Knaupp: Kati is an American author credited with over 15 published books, including award-winning children's books and novels.
• Tracy Knaupp: Tracy is an American artist whose work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the United States, including the Whitney Museum of American Art.
• Thomas Knaupp: Thomas is a German film director and producer, known for his award-winning documentary, Alzheimer: A Bridge Between the Now and Then.

Other surnames

KnaupKnaupjürgenKnaupmeier