Surname Knake - Meaning and Origin
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Knake: What does the surname Knake mean?
The last name Knake is a German surname. It is derived from the Germanic root word knoechen, which means "bone" and is likely referring to the Germanic occupation of knochenbrecher, a butcher who also prepared bones for charcoal production. The last name is most common in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
The most common origin of the last name Knake is from Central and Lower Saxony, where it was most prevalent in the 11th and 12th centuries. The surname was also frequently found among German immigrants who settled in the United States, Canada, and Australia from the mid 1700s. It is believed that the variation of Knack was used more often in the New World as a result of a mistranslation of the German word knoechen.
Today, the surname Knake can still be found among the descendants of German settlers all over the world. It is also found among people of Latin American and Creole descent. In certain parts of Germany, including Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Thuringia, the surname is still very common.
In modern times, the surname Knake is often seen associated with people who have achieved success in their chosen profession. However, the name also continues to be associated with an enduring Germanic heritage and its ancient roots.
Order DNA origin analysisKnake: Where does the name Knake come from?
The last name Knake is most commonly found in Germany, in particular the north-western region of the country. This region includes the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein, which form the cultural region known as the North German Plain.
The name is derived from the Middle Low German “Kneuke”, which denoted a tribal edge or border. As such, the name is thought to be one of the most ancient of all German last names. Moreover, the translation of 'Knake' into 'border' implies that the family moved around a great deal before eventually settling in one area.
Today, there are many people bearing the Knake surname in Germany, mainly from the previously mentioned area of the North German Plain. However, with the surge in German immigration to other countries in the 19th and 20th centuries, Knakes can now be seen all over the world. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several other countries now have residents bearing the Knake name.
Variations of the surname Knake
The surname Knake originated from German or Dutch origins. It is spelled variously as Knack, Kneke, Knacken, Knackenjäger, Knike, Knach, Knaake, Kneen, and Knaak. It is also commonly found in Americanized forms as Knack, Knech, Neke, and Nak.
The surname can also be seen in its variants as Nache, Nakken, and Nauke, as well as in many Dutch or German hyphenated surnames such as van Knaken and von Knacken.
The surname is often seen combined with other surnames in Europe, such as Feldmann-Knake, Knehe-Nauke, and Marschall-Knackenjäger. It is believed to be derived from the German word knorrig, meaning “crooked” or “twisted,” suggesting that the surname was originally borne by someone with a curved or bowed body.
Knake is also a patronymic surname found in East Prussia, denoting people still living on long-settled farms owned by their families.
In some cases, the surname has been adopted from other sources. For example, senior Nazi official Reinhard Heydrich adopted the name Knackstedt, which was subsequently changed to Knake.
The largest population of people bearing the surname Knake and its variants still live in Germany, followed by the Netherlands, the United States, and then Austria.
Famous people with the name Knake
- /*Hank Knake*/- Hank Knake is an American record producer and songwriter who has been active in the music industry since the 1970s. He is best known for producing hits for artists such as John Mellencamp, George Strait, and Ronnie Milsap.
- /*Paul Knake*/- Paul Knake is an American professional golfer who has won multiple PGA Tour events. He has also been a member of multiple teams on the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.
- /*Karen Knake*/- Karen Knake is an American professional ballerina who has been recognized as one of the top 27 ballerinas from the New York City Ballet in 2006. She has also been a guest artist with the American Ballet Theatre and the Tony Award-winning musical Chicago on Broadway.
- /*Anneliese Knake*/- Anneliese Knake is a German Olympian and world record holder in the middle-distance race. She won a bronze medal for her country at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
- /*Andrew Knake*/- Andrew Knake is an American Paralympic swimmer. He has won multiple medals in various S13 international competitions, including winning a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Paralympics.
- /*Bryan Knake*/- Bryan Knake is an American professional poker player who has won multiple World Series of Poker bracelets. He has also won the World Poker Tour's Bad Boys of Poker and the World Poker Tour Invitational event.
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Comments or additions to the name "Knake"
01.02.2024
It’s pronounced kuhnaykee