Knab History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The name Knab 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. Knab is a nickname surname, a style of name based on an eke-name, or added name, that described a characteristic of its original bearer. Knab is a name for a young person or for a person who had a youthful appearance. The surname Knab was originally derived from the German word "knappe," which means "young."

Early Origins of the Knab family

The surname Knab 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 Knab family

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

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

Early Notables of the Knab family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Knab Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Knab 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 Knab were among of the early German families that came to North America:

Knab Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Ludwig Knab, who arrived in New York, NY in 1710 1
Johan Michael Knab, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 1
Fredrick Knab, aged 24, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 1
Jacob Knab, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753 1
Michael Knab, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1755 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Knab Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Peter Knab, aged 24, who landed in Missouri in 1841 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Knab (post 1700) +

Frederick Knab (1865-1918), Bavarian-born, American artist and entomologist
Armin Knab (1881-1951), German composer and musical writer
Ursula "Ulla" Knab (1929-1989), German silver medalist runner at the 1952 Summer Olympics

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)