Surname Knivett - Meaning and Origin

Knivett: What does the surname Knivett mean?

The surname Knivett is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is considered a topographic or occupational name. Its roots can be traced back to when families in Great Britain lived in areas that were near a prominent knife-making area, hence the connection to the medieval trade of a knife maker or seller. The name is derived from the Old English word "cnif," or "knife." Variations of this surname include Knivet, Knyvet, Knyvett, among others. Besides its connection to the knife-making trade, there is also a geographical association as some people with this surname were found in Norfolk, England, in ancient times. Over time, this surname has disseminated throughout various countries due to migration and currently has presence across the world, particularly in English-speaking countries.

Knivett: Where does the name Knivett come from?

The last name Knivett is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It is an uncommon surname and is thought to derive from the Old English words 'cenn' meaning 'broad' and 'wiht', meaning 'creature' or 'knave'.

In England, Knivett is particularly common in East Anglia, the Midlands and the South West. Historically, the name appears to have been belonged mainly to the people of Devon, where its variations may have been used for generations. Knivett is also found in Northern Ireland and is particularly common in Belfast.

The surname Knivett can be found all over the world today but is most common in the countries of Britain, Northern Ireland and the United States. Variants of the name are Knifett, Knivitt and Knivet. Even today, the name Knivett has a strong presence in England, where people bearing the name can be found in all the major cities.

The spelling of the name Knivett may have been altered over time to reflect the many different dialects and pronunciations of the name across the world, so it is likely that there are many other variations of the name. In the United States, it is particularly common in the states of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Variations of the surname Knivett

The surname Knivett is derived from the Old English words cnif, meaning knife, and eat, meaning edge or corner. Variants of the surname include Knivet, Knift, Knifft, Knivit, Knifett and Knifft.

Knivett and its variants can also be seen as variants of the related English surname Kniveton. This surname is derived from the Old English cnif-tun, meaning “knife farm,” and was likely an occupational name for a farmer who produced knives. Variants of this surname include Knifeton, Kniftun, Knivton, Kniftin and Knivtten.

The Scottish version of the surname is Knyvett, derived from the Old English for “knife point.” Variants of this surname include Knyvit, Knyvt, Knyfett, Knyft and Knyfft. Other Scottish forms include Knabata and the Gaelic variant Mac Cnivata.

In Ireland, the form of Knivett is found as MacInevitt or MacNivett. These two Irish variants of the surname are derived from the Old Gaelic names Mac Cinnebitt and Mac Ciombad. Variants of the Irish forms include MacKnivett, MacKnivit, MacKnyvitt, MacKnyvet and MacKnyfatt.

The surname Knivett is found in various parts of Europe, and it is likely that variants of the name have been further developed in other countries as well, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Knivett

• Jocelyn Knivett: Jocelyn is a British Interior Designer and an Interior Architecture Lecturer at the University of Westminster.
• John Knivett: John is a South African rugby union player. He has represented the U21, U23, and senior teams of Western Province.
• Michael Knivett: Michael is an English former professional footballer who played for several English clubs.
• Samuel Knivett: Samuel was a British land owner and Member of Parliament.
• Thomas Knivett: Thomas is a British historian and lecturer at the University of Westminster.
• Thomas Knivett: Thomas is a Welsh singer/songwriter.
• William Knivett: William was an English sailor, soldier, and Member of Parliament.
• Edie Knivett: Edie is an American professional basketball player, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
• Kenneth Knivett: Kenneth is an American actor and screenwriter, best known for his role as Sheriff Callahan in the Death Valley Days television series.
• Frank Knivett: Frank is an English professional rugby league footballer who has played for Widnes Vikings in the Super League.

Other surnames

Kniver