Knowles History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 


The ancestors of the name Knowles date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Knowles family lived in the area that was referred to as the knoll. This surname was originally derived from the Old English word cnolle which means one who lived at the top of the hill or the summit. 1 2 3

The name frequently found in its plural form (Knowles, Knolles, etc.) which "may be patronymic, as in Brooks, Styles, Holmes." 4

Early Origins of the Knowles family

The surname Knowles was first found in Devon where Robert de la Cnolle was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1185. Later in Kent, we found Theobald de Chnolle in 1242 and in Cambridgeshire, Thomas Knolle was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. William atte Knolle was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296; Adam del Knol was found in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1318; and Christopher Knolles was a Freeman of York in 1407. 5

The Hundredorum Rolls on 1273 also show Roger de la Cnolle, Devon; John Cnolle, Dorset; and Robert de la Cnolle, Sussex and the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include Cecilia de Knolle; Johannes Knoll; and Thomas de Knoll. 4

Early History of the Knowles family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Knowles research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1325, 1399, 1407, 1410, 1514, 1521, 1537, 1547, 1550, 1571, 1588, 1596, 1599, 1610, 1614, 1621, 1622, 1624, 1626, 1628, 1629, 1632, 1646, 1659, 1665, 1668, 1691 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Knowles History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Knowles Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Knowles are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Knowles include: Knollys, Knoll, Knolle, Knolles, Knowles, Knowlys and others.

Early Notables of the Knowles family

Notables of the family at this time include

Knowles World Ranking

In the United States, the name Knowles is the 995th most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Knowles is ranked the 675th most popular surname with an estimated 5,799 people with that name. 7 And in New Zealand, the name Knowles is the 398th popular surname with an estimated 1,647 people with that name. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Knowles as 303rd with 19,958 people. 9

Migration of the Knowles family to Ireland

Some of the Knowles family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Knowles migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Knowles or a variant listed above:

Knowles Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Knowles Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Knowles Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Knowles migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Knowles Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Knowles Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Knowles migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Knowles Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Knowles migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Knowles Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Knowles migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19
Knowles Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Knowles (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Knowles +
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