Surname Knaack - Meaning and Origin
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Knaack: What does the surname Knaack mean?
The German surname Knaack is derived from the Middle High German word knoec, meaning “corner”, suggesting that the name originated from someone living on or near a corner land. The Knaack family was likely composed of everyday citizens, as the name does not have nobility or royalty associated with it.
The Knaack surname appears to have developed in the region of present-day eastern Germany, with the majority of individuals currently living in this area bearing the name coming from Saxony or Brandenburg. This area is close to the former Germany-Poland border, where the Knaack name is less common. Additionally, a very small percentage of Knaack families have moved to the United States, primarily to New York and Pennsylvania.
In terms of what the surname itself indicates, the Knaack family may have originally lived near a corner of a particular district or village. Those now living in the United States may have different backgrounds. While the name does not point to any particularly prestigious family heritage, its original meaning makes it a distinctive family name of German origination.
Order DNA origin analysisKnaack: Where does the name Knaack come from?
The last name Knaack is found across the world, though its concentration is highest in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In 2019, there were an estimated 19,000 people with the last name Knaack in Germany and about 5,700 people with the name in Austria. In Switzerland, the last name Knaack is even more common with around 18,000 people sharing it.
The surname Knaack is also found in the United States, where it is particularly common across the Midwestern states, such as Michigan and Wisconsin. The North Carolina-based family tree company, MyHeritage reports that the surname Knaack is the most common in Osceola County, Michigan.
Knaack is also found in other countries, such as Ukraine, where there are an estimated 100 people bearing the name. In the United Kingdom, the Office for National Statistics estimates that there are around 350 people with the name Knaack. Other countries where the name is found include Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands, and South Africa.
Overall, the last name Knaack is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with strong concentrations in the United States and the United Kingdom as well.
Variations of the surname Knaack
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Knaack can vary depending on the region and era. While the spelling of the surname has evolved over time, some of the various versions of the surname have included Knacke, Knaacke, Knack, Knaack, Knaak, Knackh, and Knakst.
The variants of Knaack are typically German surnames derived from the Middle High German word 'knac', meaning ‘stone’. The earliest records of the surname date back to the 14th century, and were most likely first found in northern Germany. Later, the name spread to western and southern Germany, and eventually to many other countries, including the United States.
In the United States, where the surname most commonly appears in German and Dutch form, the spelling of Knaack is the most common, but variations can still be found, such as Knacke, Knaacke, Knack, Knaak, Knackh, and Knakst. The surname is also sometimes found in combination with other surnames, such as Knaack-Kanitz, Knaack-Wazewski, and Knaack-Hinz.
In addition, the name can also be found in a variety of other forms across other countries. For instance, Knaack is the spelling used in the Netherlands, and Knacke is the form found in Norway. Variants of the name can also be found in Sweden (Knack), Denmark (Knak), Finland (Knacki) and Hungary (Knot).
Overall, the surname of Knaack has many spelling variations, derived from a variety of sources and regions around the world.
Famous people with the name Knaack
- Kay Knaack: German singer and songwriter
- Don Knaack: American Volunteer firefighter and author
- Hans Knaack: German musicologist, composer and music educator
- John Knaack: American college football coach
- Ed Knaack: American politician and banker
- Don Knaack Sr.: American superintendent of schools
- Jim Knaack: American major league baseball player
- Joe Knaack: American professional trumpet player
- Fred Knaack: American professional baseball player
- A.W. Knaack: German journalist and researcher
- Darin Knaack: American painter and street artist
- Norman Knaack: German sculptor, painter and installation artist
- Paul Knaack: American farmer and politician
- Charles Knaack: German photographer and artist
- David Knaack: American producer and director of independent films
- Jack Knaack: American record producer, composer and arranger