Surname Knauth - Meaning and Origin

Knauth: What does the surname Knauth mean?

Knauth is a German surname with a variety of possible meanings. The most common interpretation is that the name is composed of two elements: the first element ‘knau’ is derived from the old High German word ‘knuoz’, meaning ‘knot’ or ‘node’; the second element ‘th’ is derived from the old High German term ‘dutha’, meaning ‘people’ or ‘folk’. Therefore, many believe that the surname Knauth was originally used to indicate a person who lived in a settlement or village by a knot or node of a river.

The alternate interpretation of the surname is derived from the combination of elements of two Middle German words - ‘knut’ or ‘cut’ and ‘hûs’ or ‘house’. This suggests a person who lived in a settlement or village near a cutting or edge of land.

Throughout its history, the surname Knauth has been found in the modern-day regions of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland. It also appears to have been popular in parts of Prussia. Today, the surname is still mainly present in those same regions throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland.

Although the majority of Knauth families typically trace their ancestry back to the same region in Germany, it is possible that Knauth families have also immigrated to other countries, such as America, since the 1700s.

The surname is still quite popular today, with notable Knauths having made a name for themselves in the fields of literature, politics, and business.

Knauth: Where does the name Knauth come from?

The last name Knauth is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in western and southern parts of the country. It is not as common in other European countries.

The Knauth surname has Germanic-Norse origin, meaning knowledge, and would have been found in areas settled by the Saxons. It could also have derived from an Old Norse personal name, Knut. In the fifteenth century, the Knauth family became a prominent and influential family in Germany, having their seat in Wurttemberg and owning land in the Odenwald.

The Knauth family was highly respected and noble. Members of the Knauth family were active members of the Prussian government and held important positions such as that of government secretaries. They were also closely linked to many various branches of the military establishment.

In more recent times, the Knauth family has spread out across the globe in their search for new opportunities. They are found in the United States, Canada, Australia and across Europe.

Overall, the Knauth surname is most common in Germany. It usually has a connotation of respect and distinction, which is likely why it has been well preserved over time.

Variations of the surname Knauth

The surname Knauth is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘knuot’, meaning ‘knot’. It was an occupational name that was usually given to a weaver or a maker of nets, ropes, etc. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Knauth include:

Knaut, Knauth, Knautz, Knoch, Knoche, Knop, Knöpfe, Knopf, Knoth, Knothe, Knut, Knüttel, Knutte, Knötel and Knötzel.

In some cases, the surname Knauth is found spelled with a ‘K’, such as Knauth, Knautz, Knopf or Knötel, and in other cases with a ‘C’, such as Cnauth, Cnautz, Cnopf or Cnötel.

Variants of the surname originating in various languages include Kinaut (Sorbian), Nauth (Sorbian), Knut (Danish and Norwegian), Knud (Danish and Norwegian), Knout (Dutch), Knoutt (French), Knutt (Swedish) and Knauss (Swiss-German).

Take note that the Knauth surname, and its variants, have also been altered or abbreviated over the years. For instance, Knopp may have been an abbreviation of Knopf, while Knust may have been a shortening of Knüttel.

The surname Knauth is also sometimes found spelled with a ‘Y’, such as Ynauth, Ynautz, Ynopf or Ynötel. This letter was usually used in more modern times as a way of distinguishing between similarly spelled names.

Famous people with the name Knauth

• Ruben Knauth: physician, scholar, and the first chairman of the Department of Medicine and Surgery at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.
• John Knauth: a 20th-century American painter, noted for his use of oils and pastels.
• Albert Knauth: an accomplished mathematician, educator, and tutor who wrote two books on mathematics and one on physics.
• Eduardo Knauth: Uruguayan tenor, musician, and composer, best remembered for his performances of Italian opera arias.
• Calvin Knauth: insurance lawyer who is noted for his work in the areas of professional malpractice defense and special disability insurance.
• Richard Knauth: German physicist, meteorologist, and radio broadcaster, credited with making numerous contributions to the field of weather forecasting.
• William Knauth: American scientist and professor of chemistry, who made significant contributions to the understanding of the structure of viruses and other small particles.
• Olga Knauth: Mexican artist, and one of the leading figures in the development of Mexican modernism.
• Masterman Knauth: mountaineer, navigator, and adventurer, known for making the first ascent of Mount Eiger in the Swiss Alps in 1911.
• Kurt Knauth: American cinematographer, noted for his work in the horror and science fiction genres.

Other surnames

KnautKnauteKnauthe