Surname Knap - Meaning and Origin
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Knap: What does the surname Knap mean?
The last name Knap originates from the German word “knapp” which means “bold” and “brave”. As a surname, it is thought to have been used to describe a person who was hard-working, courageous, and generally unafraid of danger or hardship. It was first recorded in the 13th century when “Nico Knapp” was recorded as the owner of a property in the municipality of Hannover, Germany.
Over the centuries, the Knap name has spread throughout Europe to countries as far away as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and France. Families bearing the surname have been involved in many important events in European history, such as the participation of Knaps in the American Revolution and the part that Robert Knap played in the battle of Waterloo. It is also possible that members of the Knap family were part of the settling of America by European colonists.
The Knaps of today are a varied bunch; they can be found in the scientific and medical fields, business, politics, sports, literature, etc. The courage and resilience of those bold and brave people of the past has passed down through the generations, and that special character will continue on in the Knaps of the future.
Order DNA origin analysisKnap: Where does the name Knap come from?
The last name Knap is particularly common in the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Austria today. Historically, the Knap surname originated from the Netherlands, where it was used to identify people who lived in a small abode, usually attached to a larger building. During the Middle Ages, this surname was also found in Germany, Bohemia, and Silesia.
In the Netherlands, the surname Knap is typically a form of nickname, used to describe someone with a pleasant or attractive appearance. It is mainly concentrated in the province of Zeeland and is among the 100 most common surnames in the area. Dutch immigrants to the United States from the 17th to the 20th centuries brought the Knap name to the country, where it is now found in several states mainly concentrated in the Midwest and Texas.
The last name Knap is also found in Austria today. It is most commonly found in the Styrian regions of Austria, particularly Voitsberg, where it is the 30th most popular surname.
In Slovenia, the Knap surname is particularly common in the Styrian region, where it is one of the top five surnames. It was brought to the country by German settlers who arrived in the 13th century. Today, those with the last name Knap make up 2.9% of Slovenia's population.
Overall, the last name Knap is common in the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Austria today. It is also found in countries that have had significant Dutch immigration such as Germany, Bohemia, and Silesia, as well as in the United States, mainly concentrated in the Midwest and Texas.
Variations of the surname Knap
The surname Knap is of Anglo-Saxon origin. Variants and spellings include Knaip, Knapp, Knappe, and Knape.
The Knap surname derives from the Middle English word "knape," a word used to describe a promising young man or an apprentice. The surname likely began as an occupational name, but also became popular as a nickname for someone with characteristics linking him to knape's original meaning. Over time, the name was altered in various ways through spelling and phonetic variations.
The German spelling, Knappe, may have emerged separately from the Middle English word, though many believe it began as a derivative of the English spelling. In the German language, the term knappe, or knabe, can mean page or attendant.
A variant spelling found in the English language is Knaip. This spelling may have emerged as a result of pronunciation changes during the transition from Middle to modern English.
A second variant of the Knap surname is Knape. This spelling is most common in Scotland and is derived from the original Middle English spelling, knape.
Surnames of the same origin include Knipe, Napp, Knapmann, and Knapkotter. Knipe is a variant of the name found in England, Napp is another variant commonly found in Ireland, Knapmann is a variant found in Germany, and Knapkotter is a variant found in the Netherlands.