Surname Knoblock - Meaning and Origin
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Knoblock: What does the surname Knoblock mean?
Knoblock is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “knobloch” which means “turning knob.” It is believed that this surname might have possibly been a nickname for a person who was considered to be a “turner of knobs” – a craftsperson who carved or worked with knob-like objects. It is also possible that the name was given to an individual who worked at a doorknob factory or did some other work involving knobs. Knoblocks may have originated in the Middle Ages as a way of distinguishing those originating from a given area or having certain personal characteristics.
Knoblock is a common surname in Germany and Austria, with significant numbers in the United States as well. It is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, America, Canada, and the UK. Most people with this surname are of German ancestry and likely descended from individuals who migrated to other countries. In the US, many Knoblocks have Anglo-Saxon, German, and Irish roots.
Whatever their original purpose, the name Knoblock has remained in many families for generations. It is one of those rare surnames that are synonymous with both craftsmanship and the courage of ancestors who strived to make a living in a strange land.
Order DNA origin analysisKnoblock: Where does the name Knoblock come from?
Knoblock is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word "Knobel," which means knob, button, or bead. The surname is most commonly found today in Germany, where it is among the 1,000 most frequent last names. It is also common in other countries around the world with significant German populations, particularly in the United States.
In the United States, Knoblock is especially common in the Midwest, especially in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin. It is currently the 2,145th most common name in the country. The highest numbers of people with the last name Knoblock can be found in Michigan, where it is the 793rd most common name.
It is not clear how many people in the United States have the last name Knoblock today, but estimates are that there are roughly 25,000 people with that name currently living in the U.S., with another 22,000 concentrated in Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin, respectively. That makes it one of the most common last names of German origin in the United States.
Knoblock is also found in countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, France, Austria, Hungary, and the Netherlands. In all of those countries, there are only relatively small numbers of people with the last name.
Variations of the surname Knoblock
The surname Knoblock is derived from a Germanic word, meaning “block” or “clump”. This last name is thought to have developed from a house or building with a prominent block of stone, or a group of stones. It is also believed to have referred to a specific kind of cottage-style building.
The variants of the surname Knoblock include Knobloch, Knoblauch, Knoble, Knoblich, Knohl, Knopf, and Knopfle. All of these variants have the same root word and are descended from the original Germanic spelling of the surname. There are also variants of the surname from other languages including Dutch and French which are Knobelkamp, Knobelkoft, Knobbeld, Knobellen, Knobelsdorf, Knoblochs, Knobelsdorff, and Knobelsdorf.
There are also variants of the spelling of the surname Knoblock. These variations include Knabloch, Knoblocker, Knoblacker, Knoblok, Knobloock, Knobloch, Knolblock, and Knoplock.
The surnames of similar origin or meaning for the surname Knoblock include Blöck, Bloxom, Blocker, Blok, Klabunde, Klomp, Stubbe, and Stubben. All of these surnames have the same origin or meaning as Knoblock.
Overall, there are numerous identified variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Knoblock. Many of these variants and surnames are derived from the original Germanic spelling of the name while some are adapted from other languages. While the actual origin of the surname is unknown, it is believed to be related to a house or building with prominent block of stone or group of stones.
Famous people with the name Knoblock
- Andy Knoblock: American musician and record producer.
- Florence Knoblock: American silent film actress.
- William Knoblock: American screenwriter and film director.
- Tony Knoblock: British television director.
- Mark Knoblock: British actor.
- Eddie Knoblock: American bass player, member of the band The Knack and session musician.
- Tom Knoblock: American screenwriter who wrote films such as Any Given Sunday, and The Program.
- Stephen Knoblock: American composer, pianist, conductor, and producer.
- Hal Knoblock: American composer, arranger, and musical director.
- Eric Knoblock: American actor, film director, producer, and writer.