Surname Knock - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Knock: What does the surname Knock mean?
The last name Knock is of English origin and is a topographic surname, meaning that it was most likely given to a person who lived near a hill or a small mountain. The term “knock” was a common term used in Ireland to refer to a type of elevated terrain, such as a hill. It is possible that the surname is derived from the old English word vioc, meaning 'hill'.
The surname Knock was most commonly found in the British Isles. People in this region used the surname “Knock” to distinguish themselves from others who lived in the same area.
The earliest record of the last name Knock dates back to 1273, when one John de Knok was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire, England. In the 16th century, William Knock is recorded as living in Cumberland, England.
It is hard to determine what the original meaning of the surname Knock was. Some believe that the name is derived from the word for “hill”, while others think the name could have been derived from the old English word for “runner”. It has been suggested that the family may have been descended from a person who ran errands or acted as a messenger for a noble family.
The Knock surname is still common today in England, Ireland, Scotland, America, Canada, and Australia. It is also used as a first name in some areas.
Order DNA origin analysisKnock: Where does the name Knock come from?
Knock is an uncommon surname and is not particularly associated with any particular region. At present, it is found in small numbers throughout the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United Kingdom, Knock is particularly common in Northern Ireland. Research shows that around one in 5,000 people in Northern Ireland have the name. In the United States the surname Knock is mostly concentrated in the eastern states, with New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina having the highest frequencies. It is also found in a few other states, such as Massachusetts, Texas, and Oregon.
In Canada, Knock is found in small numbers in every province, especially Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec. The same is true in Australia, where Knock is most commonly found in New South Wales and Victoria, though there are a few individuals in other states, such as Queensland and South Australia. In New Zealand, Knock is most commonly found in the South Island, though there are a few individuals with the name in the North Island.
Overall, Knock is an uncommon surname and is not particularly associated with any particular region, though it is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Knock
The surname Knock originates from the Old English word "cnocc," meaning a hilltop. From this, the surname has several related variants and spellings, including Knoll, Knorr, Knoch, Knoche, Knoche, Knock, Knoke, and Knook. It has also given rise to other related surnames such as Knocker, Knockles, Nock, and Noakes that have sufficed to different branches of the Knock family over the course of centuries.
The surname Knock is most common in Scotland, Ireland, England, and the United States. In Scotland, the name appears in the forms of Knoch, Knock and Knox, whilst in Ireland it is more frequently seen as Knoke, Nock, and Noakes. It is also present in various forms across England, with distribution hotspots in Yorkshire, Kent, and Suffolk. The Knorr variant is particularly frequent in southern Germany, whilst the Knoche and Knoche variants are prominent in Switzerland.
In the United States, the Knock surname has been present since colonial times, with the earliest record appearing in 1637. It has been commonly observed across the country, often in its numerous spellings and variants. The Knockes spelling is especially prevalent in northern states such as Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, while the Knor variant is found in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The modern-day distribution across the world makes the surname Knock and its related variants a truly global family name.
Famous people with the name Knock
- Matthias Knoll, an Austrian pop singer, songwriter, and actor
- Hans Knoll, founder of the Knoll furniture company
- Petra Knoll, an Austrian novelist
- Elisabeth Knöll, a German actor and theater director
- Jens Knöll, a former German footballer
- Andrew Knoll, an American environmental science professor
- Hugo Knöll, an Austrian football defender
- Tomas Knoll, a Swiss ice hockey player
- Ben Knoll, Australian rower
- Karen Knoll, a Canadian Paralympic athlete