Surname Knopek - Meaning and Origin
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Knopek: What does the surname Knopek mean?
The last name Knopek is of Slavic origin. It likely originated in either Poland, the Czech Republic, or Slovakia, but it is also known to be found in Germany. The name Knopek is derived from the Old High German word "knopf," which means "button" or "knob." Consequently, the name Knopek could be taken to mean "son of the button maker."
The name Knopek could also be translated as "knob-maker." This could be interpreted to signify someone who creates something from nothing; someone who is industrious and inventive, a craftsman of sorts. Such a surname might imply a meticulous individual who was skilled in the art of working with their hands.
Throughout history, people with the surname Knopek have held various positions in the craftsmanship sector, such as tailors, leather workers, carpenters, and sculptors. They were known as some of the most skillful craftsmen in Poland during the Middle Ages.
In modern times, the surname Knopek is still quite common in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It is also popular in Germany, where many of the members of the Knopek family live and work today. The surname goes by various spellings, including Knoppek and Knöpfel.
Order DNA origin analysisKnopek: Where does the name Knopek come from?
The last name Knopek is commonly found in Central and Eastern European countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It is also found in parts of Germany and Russia.
In Poland, Knopek was recorded as being a popular surname in the south-central region of the country, particularly around Silesian Voivodeship and the cities of Częstochowa and Wodzisław Śląski. In the Czech Republic, the name is most common in the country’s southern regions such as Bohemia and Moravia. In Slovakia, the name is found most often in the central and eastern parts of the country. In Hungary, Knopek is most commonly seen in the northern and western parts of the country.
In Germany, the last name Knopek is typically found in the Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg regions. In Russia, the name is sometimes seen in Moscow and other cities in the western and southwestern parts of the country.
Today, the last name Knopek is still quite common, though it often appears in slightly different forms depending on region. In many cases, it is spelled Kopek, Kopak, Knopak, or Knopic and can be seen in a variety of local variants.
Variations of the surname Knopek
Knopek is a surname of German origin that can have various spelling variations and alternate surnames. There are five primary spellings of the name Knopek: Knopek, Knoopek, Knopeck, Knoopek, and Knopick.
Variations of the surname Knopek can be found as Knopke, Knopek, Knoopke, Knoepeck, Knopecke, Knöpke, Knoepek, Knopec, Knopick, Knoopek, Knoop, and Knöppe. Surnames with similar origins include Knopf, Knöpfel, Knippel, Knüpfer, Knippschild and Knüppel.
Knopek is derived from the Middle High German word ‘knop’ which means ‘button’. This surname was given to those who made or sold buttons as their profession. Variations of the surname, such as Knopf and Knöpfel, are also derived from the same word.
People bearing Knopek surnames would have likely gotten their name when their ancestor moved away from their place of birth and needed to adopt another surname. This can be especially seen in Germany, where a large number of names were changed after World War II. It is also possible that some of these surnames are different dialects of the same name.
The surname Knopek is primarily found in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, but it also has a historical origin in the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. There are also a small number of people with this surname throughout the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Knopek
- Jon Knopek: A professional NHL goaltending coach and businessman.
- Ewa Knopek: A Polish singer, songwriter, and music producer.
- John Knopek: An American country music singer, guitarist, and vocalist.
- Frankie Knopek: A former NBA player who spent one season with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 1984-85 season.
- Alexandra Knopek: Polish singer, actress, and model.
- Stephanie Knopek: Award-winning historical fiction author.
- Kim Knopek: A former professional ice hockey player in the NHL.
- Dan Knopek: Professional drummer who has toured with several top recording artists, including Jewel and Tony Bennett.
- Chris Knopek: A retired American professional wrestler.
- Artur Knopek: A Polish fashion designer who specializes in haute couture and ready to wear.