Surname Knappisch - Meaning and Origin
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Knappisch: What does the surname Knappisch mean?
The last name Knappisch is of German origin and is thought to be derived from the occupational name knapp, which is used to refer to a miner. As such, Knappisch can be translated to mean "son of the miner" or "dweller of a small mine". The surname first appears in ancient records dating back to the 12th century, when a man called Ulricus Knappes was documented.
The Knappisch family can be trace back to Bavaria, where it is believed the surname originated. A later group from the family was said to have moved to Austria, while a small number may have even emigrated to the US. Some descendants of the family are still known to live in Germany today.
Knappisch is an uncommon surname, with only a few thousand bearers across the world. These include notable figures such as Arno Knappisch, a former German pole vaulter and Werner Knappisch, an East German cross-country skier.
Order DNA origin analysisKnappisch: Where does the name Knappisch come from?
The last name Knappisch is most commonly found today in Germany and Germany-related countries, like the Netherlands and parts of Scandinavia. According to the 1990 census, it was most prominent in the former East German states of Saxony and Brandenburg. In Saxony, there were an estimated 1,775 people with the last name Knappisch, and in Brandenburg there were 900. It is also popular in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria.
The surname Knappisch may have derived from a diminutive of the German word knapp, which means “tight” or “taut.” It was a popular name among farmers, suggesting that the first Knappisch belonged to a farming society. The last name may also be associated with Germanic legend or mythology, as mythical beings in Germanic tradition were often known by such names.
Outside of Germany, the name Knappisch can be found most prominently in the United States and Canada, where it is likely that immigrants brought the last name with them when they left Germany. In the US, people with the last name Knappisch are concentrated in California, followed by Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and New York. The highest concentration in Canada is in Alberta.
Overall, Knappisch is a common German name today, although it is not as common as some othermore popular German last names.
Variations of the surname Knappisch
The surname Knappisch is thought to be of German or Jewish origin. There are several variations in spelling, such as Knappish, Knapisch, Knopisch, Knopish, Knabisch, or Knobisch.
The male form of the name, Knapp, is derived from the Old German word knab, meaning a young boy. It was often used as a nickname for a young man in German-speaking areas. This could also be the origin of the related names Knab and Knappert.
The female form of the name, Knappe, is derived from the same Old German root word. In modern German, it is used as a last name that refers to a person who dresses up in old-fashioned medieval fashions.
Variants of this name, with similar spellings, exist in Czech, Polish, and Russian. These include Knapova, Knobish, Knopova, and Knopov.
The surname Knappisch can also be found in Jewish communities. This is likely because some of the original variations of the name sounded like the words knap/knop, which mean "bundle" in several Jewish dialects. The spelling and pronunciation of the name could also have been influenced by Yiddish.
Variations of the name Knappisch can also be found among the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe, including Knapoff, Knopf, and Knopovitz.
Famous people with the name Knappisch
- Dieter Knappisch: Dieter Knappisch was an East German footballer, who played for FC Carl Zeiss Jena from 1980 to 1990, helping them win the East German championship in 1984. He also received 43 caps with East Germany and was part of their squad that participated in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, playing in all three group stage matches.
- Grace Knappisch: Grace Knappisch was an American actress who was popular in the 1930s and 40s. She appeared in a variety of screen roles, often playing the leading lady. Her most famous performances included roles in The Painted Veil, Tarzan and the Amazons, and The Wizard of Oz.
- Wilhelm Knappisch: Wilhelm Knappisch was a German physicist, mathematician, and astronomer who published several papers in the sciences. He also invented a popular type of astronomical telescope that was widely used throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Heinrich Knappisch: Heinrich Knappisch was a German botanist and expert in plant identification. He is best remembered for his book, Fundamentals of Plant Identification, which was widely used as a field guide in Europe for over a century.
- Fritz Knappisch: Fritz Knappisch was a German WW2 tank ace who, according to reports, destroyed upwards of 150 enemy tanks during his time in the Wehrmacht. He is one of the Military of Germany's most famous tank commanders and also earned the prestigious Knight's Cross decoration for his bravery and skill.