Surname Knauer - Meaning and Origin

Exploring Ancestral Origins through iGENEA DNA Test: The History and Culture of the Knauer Lineage

Discovering one’s ancestry can be an enlightening journey - a bridge connecting us to our roots. This report unveils what I discovered about my origins via an iGENEA DNA test, with a particular emphasis on the Knauer surname. Tracing back to the Middle Ages, the name 'Knauer' originally stems from Central Europe, marking a rich tapestry woven with medieval professions, relocation tales, and pioneering individuals within my lineage.

E. Knauer

Knauer: What does the surname Knauer mean?

Knauer is a German surname that derives from the Middle High German word "knüere," meaning 'knot-maker'. This name was typically given to individuals who were involved in rope making or net making professions, as these required the skill of knot-making. The name Knauer, like many surnames, was a way of identifying individuals by their trade or occupation, which was a common practice in medieval Europe. It's important to note that the distribution of the Knauer surname is predominantly found in Germany, specifically in areas of Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg. It can also be found among individuals of Jewish descent. People with the Knauer surname have various professions and are not necessarily tied to rope or net making as their ancestors might have been. Like many surnames today, it mainly serves as a familial identifier.

Knauer: Where does the name Knauer come from?

Knauer is a surname of German origin. This name falls into the category of occupational surnames, which are derived from the primary occupation of the bearer. It refers to a person who was a 'chandler' or someone who made or sold candles. This surname has its roots in the Middle High German word “knûr” denoting a knot in wood or a wooden ball. It is believed the original bearers of the name likely worked with wood, either as craftsmen or builders.

Today, the name is most prevalent in Germany but also found in relative frequency in Austria. It has also spread to other areas of the world, particularly in countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia, due to patterns of German emigration over the past few centuries. However, even in these countries, it remains a relatively uncommon surname.

Variations of the surname Knauer

The surname Knauer has German origins. Variations and alternate spellings of the name may include Knower, Knouer, Knorre, Knarr, Knohr, Knaur, Knaurr, and Knaus. Each of these variants are resulted due to region-specific dialects and differences in spelling over centuries.

It might also be possible to find this surname with an umlaut (Knaüer) or additional letters towards the end, such as Knauerh, Knauert, or Knauerin in female form. However, the most common spelling remains Knauer.

Some surnames that may have the same or similar origins include Nauer, Knaves, and perhaps Knott, due to the words ‘Knot’ and ‘Knauer’ in German language sharing similar meanings.

Surnames of the same origin may also include other German surnames that come from occupation or descriptive characteristics. Names like Schneider (tailor), Fischer (fisherman), or Klein (small) were common for similar reasons that Knauer (knot-maker or hard, tough person) came into use.

Famous people with the name Knauer

• Christoph Knauer: German right-wing politician and a former member of the Bundestag for the Freedom-Party
• Stefan Knauer: Professor of Computer Science at the U.K.A. (University of Applied Sciences) in Karlsruhe, Germany
• Georg Knauer: Austrian music producer and songwriter
• Helmut Knauer: German World War II fighter pilot
• Nadia Knauer: German singer-songwriter
• Bill Knauer: American professional basketball player
• Michael Knauer: German mathematician and inventor
• Thomas Knauer: American quilter known for his modern quilting designs
• Dieter Knauer: German actor
• Alexander Knauer: German actor and filmmaker

Other surnames

Knauert