Surname Knakfuss - Meaning and Origin
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Knakfuss: What does the surname Knakfuss mean?
The last name Knakfuss has German origins and refers to someone who is descended from a miller. It is derived from the Middle High German word "knahchaboze", which means miller, and at one point was also colloquially referred to by the name "Kna-Knoff" or "Knakfuss".
In the Middle Ages, Knakfuss families were generally associated with mills, where they worked to grind grain into flour. Millers were well-respected members of the community and provided a vital service in rural villages and towns. They were often responsible for tracking the price of grain and other produce, and ensuring that the community had enough supplies to make it through a cold winter.
Throughout Germany today, Knakfuss families can still be found in some of the old mill villages; however, many have since moved to more urban areas or abroad. Generally speaking, people with the Knakfuss surname tend to be quiet and hardworking, are often passionate about family life, and great pride in their roots. As millers provided an important service to their communities, the Knakfuss family name can also be viewed as a symbol of long-standing service and respect.
Order DNA origin analysisKnakfuss: Where does the name Knakfuss come from?
The last name Knakfuss is not a particularly common name today, though it does appear occasionally in various global populations. It is an uncommon German name with possibly Dutch origins.
The last name Knakfuss can be found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and other German-speaking countries. In Switzerland, it is the 45,540th most common name out of the total 4.53 million surnames registered with the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Status. In Germany, statistics from 2000 to 2018 list Knakfuss as the 10,072nd most common family name, out of a total of 135 million names registered during that time period.
It is also found in countries outside Europe. In the United States, Knakfuss is a very rare surname, ranking just over 22,700 out of a total of 150 million names according to the US Census Bureau’s 2018 survey of surnames.
The name can be found in other countries, such as Brazil and Mexico, though its numbers are sparse. Today, it is estimated that there are fewer than 10,000 individuals bearing the Knakfuss name.
Variations of the surname Knakfuss
The surname Knakfuss is of German origin and is derived from two elements. The first element “Knak” translates to “creak” and the second element “Fuss” translates to “foot”. It is believed that the surname may have been given to identify someone who walked with a loud creaking sound because of a deformity of the foot or a prosthetic device.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Knakfuss include Knackfuss, Knackpus, Knackpfus, Knackfus, Knackpfuß, Knackfüß and Knackfeuss.
Some of the more common variants of the surname include Knack, Knacken, Knac, Knaca, Knak, Knaka, and Knakk. These variants are derived from the root words found in the original surname Knakfuss.
There are also a variety of surnames which are derived from the same root words as Knakfuss. These can include Knacks, Knacke, Knacko, Knicko, Knackes, Knakkes, Knickes, Knackerea, Knackiana, Knacketh, Knackert, Knickel, and Knacky.
The surname Knakfuss has been found apart from Germany in various countries including Denmark, The Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, and Africa. It is believed to have spread in the 19th century when German families immigrated to other countries.
The surname Knakfuss is commonly found in various documents in various forms which demonstrates the frequency of the name and the many variations that have developed over time.
Famous people with the name Knakfuss
- Werner Knakfuss: Werner was a German rower who competed in the 1990 World Championships, taking home a gold medal in the men’s single sculls category.
- Luise Knakfuss: Luise was a German figure skater who competed a number of times at the ISU Championship, winning several silver medals.
- Adam Knakfuss: Adam is a German judoka who competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics for his home country in the men’s 66 kg category.
- Uwe Knakfuss: Uwe is a German swimmer who won the gold medal in the men’s medley relay at the 1990 World Championships.
- Wilhelm Knakfuss: Wilhelm was a prominent German composer, songwriter, andpoet of the 19th century.
- Gerlinde Knakfuss: Gerlinde is a former German figure skater who competed in the 1994 World Championships in the pairs free skating event.
- Franz Knakfuss: Franz was a prominent German architect during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He designed several noted buildings including the Berliner Stadthaus in Berlin.
- Daniel Knakfuss: Daniel is a German Paralympic table tennis player who competed in the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.
- Peter Knakfuss: Peter is a former professional German footballer who played for Dynamo Dresden in their youth team.
- Joachim Knakfuss: Joachim is a former German ice hockey player who was active between 1990 and 2005, playing for the team Füchse Berlin.