Knechtel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Knechtel

What does the name Knechtel mean?

The surname Knechtel derives from the Low German "Knoke" which means "bone" or in Modern German "Knochen." The name Knechtel and its variants Knakenhower and Knokenhower were mainly used in the northern part of Germany and indicated someone who cut bones, a butcher.

Alternatively the surname Knechtel is of nickname origin. Nickname surnames are those names which derive their origin from a physical characteristic or personal attribute of the initial bearer. In this instance, the surnameKnechtel derives from the Middle Low German "knarre" indicating a bony or haggard person. 1

Early Origins of the Knechtel family

The surname Knechtel was first found in Northern Germany.

Knechtel and its variants Knagge and Knack date back to the thirteenth century, which make it one the earliest recorded surnames in Germany. Knoke was a resident of Rostock in the year 1288 and Rindsknoke was living in Hamburg in the year 1297. A resident of Hamburg bearing the name Knakeruegge was recorded in the thirteenth century. Records for the year 1645 indicate one Nathanael Knack as residing in Danzig, and Johann Knagge was residing in Labiau in eastern Prussia in the year 1656. Adolf Wilhelm Knacke was the owner of an estate in the Altmark in the nineteenth century. 1

Early History of the Knechtel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Knechtel research. The years 1752 and 1817 are included under the topic Early Knechtel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Knechtel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Knecht, Knechtel, Knechtli, Knechtges, Knechte and many more.

Early Notables of the Knechtel family

More information is included under the topic Early Knechtel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Knechtel family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Michael Knecht, who emigrated to London, England, in 1709 with his wife and four daughters; Johan Jacob Knecht, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1729; Georg Peter Knecht, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1732.

Contemporary Notables of the name Knechtel (post 1700) +

Lawrence William "Larry" Knechtel (1940-2009), American keyboard player and bassist 2
Wilhelm Knechtel (1837-1924), German gardener and botanist 3

Citations +

Bahlow, Hans, Dictionary of German Names. translated by Edda Gentry, Wisconsin: The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, 2002. Print. (ISBN 0-924119-35-7)
Lawrence Knechtel. (Retrieved 2011, January 20) Lawrence Knechtel. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Knechtel
Wilhelm Knechtel. (Retrieved 2011, January 20) Wilhelm Knechtel. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Knechtel