Surname Kniver - Meaning and Origin

Kniver: What does the surname Kniver mean?

The last name Kniver is of German origin, and likely derived from a German occupational surname. It is derived from the Old German word knifer, which means a weaponsmith. As such, Kniver is likely an occupational surname given to someone who crafted knives, daggers, and swords. This craft was most commonly practiced by blacksmiths, but could also refer to someone with enough skill to make a specific type of weapon.

Though the surname did not arrive in the United States until the mid-1800s, it has become relatively popular in various parts of the world. The Kniver family is thought to have derived from the Rhineland region of Germany, and they likely immigrated to the United States in search of a better life. This could explain why the surname is most common in the United States.

Today, the surname Kniver is still relatively common and widespread throughout the United States. You can find the name present in most public records, including land records, government census records, and even some business directories.

In summary, the last name Kniver is a German occupational surname derived from the Old German word knifer, which refers to a weaponsmith, referred to someone with enough skill to make specific types of weapons. The surname became extremely popular in the United States in the mid-1800s when many of the Kniver family name immigrated to the country in search of a better life. Today, the surname is still relatively common and widespread throughout the United States.

Kniver: Where does the name Kniver come from?

The last name Kniver is most commonly found in Germany today. The only other region known to feature the name is Austria, where there are a handful of individuals.

In Germany, the Kniver surname traces its roots back hundreds of years and is believed to have originated in the Palatinate region. Today, the surname is most commonly found in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia.

The oldest recorded Kniver ancestor in Germany dates back to the 1500s. During the 1600s and 1700s, the Kniver family established a strong presence in the Bavarian regions of Ansbach and Nurnberg. This close-knit family remained largely unchanged in Bavaria until the 19th century, when branches of the family began to spread to other parts of Germany.

The modern-day prevalence of the Kniver surname is largely attributed to the mass emigration of the 1870s. During this time, many German families left their homes in search of better opportunities abroad. Many of these families, including the Knivers, settled in large German-populated areas of New York City and other nearby states.

Today, Kniver is found all over the world, from North America to Europe to Australia and beyond. However, the surname is still most common and concentrated within the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Kniver

The surname Kniver is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the Old German word "knifar" meaning knife-maker. Variants of the surname include Knifer, Kniefer, Kniever, Kniefer and Kneifer. It is also commonly seen with spelling variations such as Knabenreiter, Knäfer, Knaifenreiter, Knefer, Knipfer, Knifar, Knyphausen, and Kneippenreiter.

Other forms of the Kniver surname include Knuefler, Knieffer, Knippler, Kniple, Knievel, Knispel, Kiniffer, Kinder, Knabb, Knap, Knop, Knave, Knaver, Kneble, Knittel, Knepper, Knausser, Knipple, Knaup, or Knickerbocker.

The surname has also evolved over time to form some additional surnames, such as Knôpf, Knöbel, Knüppel, or Knüffel. Knopf is a topographic name originating from areas of Germany known for knopf (button) production. Knöbel is derived from the Middle High German nickname for a small, thin individual. Knüppel refers to a fighting staff, and Knüffel is a variation of Knüppel.

Some foreign translations of the Kniver surname include Kneifel and Knobi (Polish), Küneffel (Swedish), Knif and Knipf (Danish), Knepf (Dutch) and Knippenreiter (Scandinavian). Additionally, some people with the Kniver surname have adopted additional surnames including French Knioull and English Knight.

Famous people with the name Kniver

• Eric Kniver: a former German football player, who played as a defender.
• Matt Kniver: an American score composer.
• Erika Kniver: a former member of the German national artistic gymnastics team.
• Katrin Kniver: an Austrian model, television presenter and actress.
• Chris Kniver: an American basketball coach.
• Daniel Kniver: a German professional soccer player. 7.Florian Kniver: a German professional water polo player.
• Jürgen Kniver: a German businessman and a former rugby union player.
• Joerg Kniver: a German alpine ski racer who competed in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
• Isaac Kniver: an American multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter and composer.

Other surnames

Knivett