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Knopf History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Citations

Knopf History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The history of the Knopf family dates back to the 12th century, when hereditary surnames first began to be used in Germany. The name Knopf comes from Bavaria, and is derived from the Old German word "Knopf," meaning "button"; thus, it is a name for a maker of buttons, usually of horn.

Early Origins of the Knopf family

The surname Knopf was first found in Bavaria, where this family made important contributions toward the development of this district from ancient times. Ancient chronicles first mention the knight Johann Knop of Thuringia in 1368, Michel Knoepfle of Ravensburg in 1476, and Knoepfelman of Speyer in 1334.

Early History of the Knopf family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Knopf research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1480, 1728, 1769, 1842, 1874, 1895 and 1920 are included under the topic Early Knopf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Knopf Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Knopf include Knopfler, Knopf, Knopfle, Knoepfel, Knoepfle, Knoepfli, Knoepfler, Knoff, Knof, Knofler, Knoffler, Knopfer, Knop, Knopler, Knauff, Knauffer, Knauffel and many more.

Early Notables of the Knopf family

Prominent among members of the name Knopf in this period include

Christian Knopf (b. 1480), a goldsmith from Switzerland, Christoph Knopfer, a cavalry captain, Marie Knauff (1842-1895), a German writer, and Carl Benno Rudolf Knopf (1874-1920), an Austrian theologia...

Knopf Ranking

In the United States, the name Knopf is the 12,805^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Knopf migration to the United States +

European migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Knopfs to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Knopf Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Christian Knopf, who landed in America in 1778 2
Heinrich Knopf, who arrived in America in 1779 2

Knopf Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Felix Knopf, who landed in Mississippi in 1844 2
Mr. Peter Knopf, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Auguste Meline", may have died onboard
Mrs. Marg Knopf, (Marie, nee Segner) German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Auguste Meline", may have died onboard
Miss Elisa Knopf, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Auguste Meline", may have died onboard
Miss Marg Knopf, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1845 aboard the ship "Auguste Meline", may have died onboard
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Knopf Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Friedrika Knopf, aged 32, who landed in New York, NY in 1901 2
Gotthilf Knopf, aged 7, who arrived in New York, NY in 1901 2
Gustav Knopf, aged 7, who landed in America in 1901 2
David Knopf, aged 8, who arrived in New York, NY in 1901 2
Emilie Knopf, aged 8, who landed in New York, NY in 1901 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Knopf migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Knopf Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Anna, Johann and Friedrich Knopf, who, who sailed to Québec in 1893
Anna Knopf, aged 8, who arrived in Quebec in 1893
Anna Knopf, aged 26, who landed in Quebec in 1893
Johann Knopf, who landed in Quebec in 1893

Contemporary Notables of the name Knopf (post 1700) +

Adolph Knopf (1882-1966), American eologist from San Francisco
Philip Knopf (1847-1920), American politician, Member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois
Kenyon Knopf, American economist
Alfred Knopf Jr. (1892-1984), well-known American publisher
Edwin H. Knopf (1899-1981), American film producer, director and screenwriter
Philip Knopf (1847-1920), American Republican politician, Member of Illinois State Senate, 1887-94; Cook County Clerk, 1894-1902; U.S. Representative from Illinois 7th District, 1903-09 3
Mike Knopf, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Iowa, 2008 3
Edwin L. Knopf, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Michigan 7th District, 1968, 1972; Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives 79th District, 1974 3
Heinrich Knopf (1839-1875), German luthier

Historic Events for the Knopf family +

Bismarck

Heinz Knopf (1920-1941), German Verwaltungsgefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 4

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details