Surname Knobelauch - Meaning and Origin
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Knobelauch: What does the surname Knobelauch mean?
The last name Knobelauch is of German-speaking origin and is derived from the older Germanic name Knopeloch. It is most likely derived from the Old High German word “knopa”, meaning “knob”, and “loch”, meaning “valley”, resulting in a literal translation of “knob valley”.
Possible interpretations of the name’s meaning include a “valley with many knobs”, a “coarse terrain” or “hills and valleys”. Other interpretations of the name are linked to words with similar sound such as “Knotenloch” which means “fastening”.
Throughout history, the surname has been spelled and pronounced in various ways, from the existing Knobelauch to Knopfloch, Knobeloch, Knopfeloch or Knopelauch.
It is believed that the Knobelauch surname originated from a location in present-day Germany, as many individuals with this surname are found in the region to this day. A number of installations have been found to be related to the Knobelauch surname, such as Knobelauch Mill, Knobelauch Mill Tower or Knobelauch’s Square, all of which are located in present-day Germany.
In modern times, you are more likely to come across people with the Knobelauch surname in Germany, Switzerland or Austria. While Knobelauch is not a particularly common surname, it does see usage among German-speaking populations, and there are multiple individuals living in the US and other countries around the world who carry this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisKnobelauch: Where does the name Knobelauch come from?
The surname Knobelauch is quite common throughout Germany and is especially prominent in Bavaria. While its presence in other countries is more limited compared to Germany, it can also be found in small numbers in Austria, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, and even the United States.
In the United States, the Knobelauch surname is mainly found in the Midwest region. States such as Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa tend to have higher numbers of people with this last name. Places like Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Louis have the highest concentrations of Knobelauchs in the U.S. It is also possible to find Knobelauchs living in other parts of the country, although they tend to be much less common.
Within Germany, the last name is most prevalent in the region of Bavaria, where it was first used hundreds of years ago. There are quite a few smaller towns in Bavaria where the surname remains popular today, since many of the original Knobelauchs have chosen to stay and continue their families’ lines in these towns. It can also be found in other German states such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg.
Overall, the last name Knobelauch can still be found in many parts of Germany and other countries around the world, although it is usually much more common in Germany than elsewhere.
Variations of the surname Knobelauch
Knobelauch is generally the spelling used to refer to the surname. However, numerous variants and derivatives exist, many of which are derived from variations in spelling, pronunciation, and cultural influence. Variants of the surname Knobelauch include Knobeloch, Knobelock, Knobelak, Knobelack, and Knobeloch.
In Germany, there are many alternative spellings of the surname such as Knöbelauch, Knöbelock, Knöbelak, Knöbelack, and Knöbeloch. Naturally, the level of variation to the spelling will slightly differ through regions and among dialects.
In several German-speaking countries, including Austria, Switzerland, and South Tyrol, variations including Knobelauch, Knobeloch, and Knöbeloch are encountered. In some parts of the country, the surname is also written as Knopfeloch.
In the United States, several spellings are found including Knobelauch, Knobelock, Knobeloch, and Knobelockt. This last variation is more common among American German immigrants, and it is thought to have been introduced by early settlers from Germany.
Several other names are also derived from Knobelauch. Derivatives of the surname include Nobelin, Nobelan, Noblet, and Knobel. It is not unusual for there to be a high degree of variation in the spelling, as each generation often put their stamp on how the name is written.
In addition, many people bearing the surname have chosen to spell and modify the name to suit various social situations, leading to further variations in extent.
Famous people with the name Knobelauch
- Mike Knobelauch: Former professional American football player
- Charles Knobelauch: 19th century German watercolor and oil painter
- Stephen Knobelauch: American baseball executive and scout
- Rich Knobelauch: Former college football coach and NFL assistant
- Frederick Knobelauch: 19th century Austrian landscape artist
- Ernest Knobelauch: 19th century American cotton broker and philanthropist
- Karl Knobelauch: German 1970s composer and engineer
- Tom Knobelauch: Former National Hockey League player
- Paul Knobelauch: German entomologist and historian
- Andrew Knobelauch: American criminal defense attorney