Knap History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The name Knap comes from the German province known as the Rhineland. In pre-medieval times, the German people used only one name, but as the population increased, hereditary surnames became necessary for people to maintain unique identities. Knap is a nickname surname, a style of name based on an eke-name, or added name, that described a characteristic of its original bearer. Knap is a name for a young person or for a person who had a youthful appearance. The surname Knap was originally derived from the German word "knappe," which means "young."

Early Origins of the Knap family

The surname Knap was first found in the Rhineland, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation.

Early History of the Knap family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Knap research. Another 169 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1777, 1798, 1842 and 1926 are included under the topic Early Knap History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Knap 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 Knap include Knapp, Knap, Knappe, Knape, Knaap, Knaapp, Knapper, Knaper and many more.

Early Notables of the Knap family

Notables with the name Knap during this period were

Knapp (1842-1926), who was a famous economist and jurist, known for his theory that the State is the true creator of economic value...

Knap migration to the United States +

Between the 17th and 20th centuries, hundreds of thousands of Europeans came to North America, and many Rhinelanders were among them. They had many various reasons for making the choice: to escape poverty and persecution, for adventure, and for the opportunity to own their own land. Ellis Island, one of the main American immigration centers, saw many settlers as they moved on to the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, they found homes in Ontario, and on the great plains of the Midwestern provinces. The Knap were among of the early German families that came to North America:

Knap Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Nicholas Knap, who landed in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1631 1
William Knap, who landed in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1640 1
Thomas Knap, who arrived in Virginia in 1653 1
Thomas Knap, who settled in Virginia in 1653
Robert Knap, who arrived in Maryland in 1658 1

Knap Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans Nikel Knap, who arrived in New York in 1709 1
Michael Knap, who settled in Philadelphia in 1738
Michael Knap, who arrived in America in 1738 1

Knap Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Aquila Knap, who arrived in Connecticut in 1812 1
Thomas Knap went to Philadelphia in 1813
S Knap, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1822 1
George Knap, aged 37, who landed in Missouri in 1841 1
Marie Knap, aged 20, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1875 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Knap migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Knap Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Anth Knap, who landed in Canada in 1800

Citations +

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)