Surname Knote - Meaning and Origin
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Knote: What does the surname Knote mean?
The last name Knote is of German origin and is derived from the word “knie,” which means “knee” in English. It refers to a person who was either associated with the manufacture or use of a knee joint, or a person who had an injured knee. It could also refer to a place near a knee bone that has been broken or injured, or a person who was extremely skilled in archery and was able to shoot arrows accurately with precision.
In earlier times, the surname was associated with a longbow, an old German weapon with a flat bow. Bows were used for hunting and also in military campaigns, as weapons. Shepherds would often attach bells to their bows and thus arrows were often associated with bells by the 16th century. This is significant because the surname Knote itself is derived from the word “knie,” which literally means “knee bones.”
The ancestors of Knote were likely associated with the production of bows and arrows, giving the name its meaning. Today, the surname Knote is commonly found in Germany and the United States. It is also common in Lithuania and some other parts of Europe. Despite its original ties with archery, the surname has spread around the world and is now associated with many different things.
Order DNA origin analysisKnote: Where does the name Knote come from?
The surname Knote appears to have a Germanic origin and is found primarily in Germany, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. It is most commonly concentrated in the southern part of Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria and Saxony. Other countries that have significant populations of people with this surname include the USA, United Kingdom, Austria, Hungary, Australia, Canada, and France. It is likely that the online geneaological search engine WorldNames PublicProfiler underestimated the actual number of people in these countries with the surname, as the database only contains information from those who have opted in to be included in the database.
The German spelling of the surname is normally Knöte and the Dutch spelling is Knoote. In some cases the spelling has been changed to Knaeht, Knaack, or Knatte. The spelling of this surname in other nations may also differ due to language differences or phonetic adaptations.
Throughout European history the family name was associated with both nobility and tradesmen, and was likely established in Germany since the Middle Ages. Today it exists in many forms and variations in pronunciation throughout Europe and the diaspora to other areas of the world.
Variations of the surname Knote
The surname Knote is an anglicized German name that is derived from the old High German words ‘knuot’ or ‘knuote’. This meant knot or bond, and was likely an occupational name for someone who worked with knots or rope.
The surname has several spelling variants, including Knoot, Knote, Knutt, Knot, and Knut. There are also some more modern variations and common misspellings such as Knotte, Knoet, Knoeten, and Knoetener.
In some cases, the surname can also have an associated prefix such as von Knoote or von Knott. This indicates that the bearer’s ancestor was from a noble or aristocratic family.
In the U.S., some immigrants have adapted the name to English-sounding forms such as Knowt, Knowth, and Knothe.
The Knote surname is widely found worldwide, especially among communities with German roots. Famous people with this surname include Fritz Knote (19th century German banker), Hermann Knote (Gothic revival sculptor), and Leopold Knote (19th century German composer).
Famous people with the name Knote
- Carl Knote: Professional ice hockey player who played with the Detroit Red Wings in 1925–1926.
- Richard Knote: German film producer, director, and screenwriter.
- Rudolf Knote: German poet and playwright.
- Stefan Knote: German television actor.
- Sophie Knote: Austrian violist and composer.
- Edouard Knote: French sculptor.
- Steve Knote: Professional football player who played for the Buffalo Bills in 1998.
- Monika Knote: German-Spanish actress and model.
- Nick Knote: Professional poker player.
- Evan Knote: Canadian opera singer.