Show ContentsKnowles History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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, 1600, 1606, 1610, 1614, 1621, 1622, 1624, 1625, 1626, 1628, 1629, 1632, 1646, 1648, 1659, 1665, 1668, 1681, 1685, 1691, 1722, 1723, 1733, 1743, 1747, 1748, 1772, 1784, 1802, 1807 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

  • Hanserd Knollys (1599-1691) was an English divine from Cawkwell, Lincolnshire. Sir Robert Knollys (1588-1659), was an English politician, Member of Parliament for Abingdon in 1614, Member of Parliamen...

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
  • Mr. Richard Knowles, who was aboard the ship "Sea Venture" who wrecked in Bermudas in 1609, they managed to build a new ship to continue to Jamestown in 1610. 10
  • Isarell Knowles, who landed in Virginia in 1622 11
  • Mr. John Knowles, (d. 1637), who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" 12
  • Mr. Thomas Knowles, aged 16, who arrived in Barbados aboard the ship "Falcon" in 1635 10
  • Mr. Henry Knowles, aged 25, who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Susan and Ellin" 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Knowles Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jane Knowles, who landed in Virginia in 1701 11
  • Thomas Knowles, who landed in Virginia in 1701 11
  • Abner Knowles, who arrived in America in 1782 11
Knowles Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Luke Knowles, aged 33, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1821 11
  • Mr. Robert Knowles, (b. 1808), aged 24, Cornish hat manufacturer departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "Clio" arriving in New York, USA on 1st May 1832 13
  • David Knowles, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1835 11
  • Samuel Knowles, aged 23, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1843 11
  • Edwin Knowles, aged 33, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1848 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Knowles migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Knowles Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Henry Knowles, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1760
Knowles Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Eliza Knowles, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

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
  • Richard Knowles, English convict from York, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Edward Knowles, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Caledonia" on 5th July 1820, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
  • James Knowles, English convict from Devon, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on July 3, 1822, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 16
  • William Knowles, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Thomas Knowles, English convict from Staffordshire, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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
  • A Knowles, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Oriental
  • F W Knowles, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Oriental
  • H H Knowles, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Oriental
  • Hy Samuel Knowles, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Oriental
  • J M Knowles, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Oriental
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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
  • Mr. John Knowles, (b. 1608), aged 27, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 20
  • Andrew Knowles, who settled in Barbados in 1680

Contemporary Notables of the name Knowles (post 1700) +

  • Beyoncé Giselle Knowles (b. 1981), known as Beyoncé, American sixteen-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress
  • James Wallace Knowles III, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Missouri, 2008 21
  • John Knowles (1926-2001), American author, best known for his novel A Separate Peace (1959)
  • Warren Perley Knowles (1908-1993), American politician, Governor of Wisconsin from 1965-1971
  • William S Knowles (b. 1917), American chemist, who shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2001
  • Anthony Carroll "Tony" Knowles (b. 1943), American politician and businessman, Governor of Alaska (1994-2002)
  • Dennis Knowles, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of Benton Harbor, Michigan, 2011 21
  • Daniel Clark Knowles (b. 1836), American politician, Prohibition Candidate for Governor of New Hampshire, 1894; Prohibition Candidate for New Hampshire State Senate 6th District, 1902 21
  • Clyde M. Knowles, American politician, Mayor of Phenix City, Alabama, 1955-57 21
  • Charles S. Knowles, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Kanawha County, 1968 21
  • ... (Another 55 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. George Knowles, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 22
  • Mr. Douglas Knowles, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 22
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Robert Knowles, British Chief Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 23
  • Mr. Norman Knowles, British Boy 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 23
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Thomas Knowles, aged 42, English Firemen's Messman from Lymington, England who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on collapsible C 24


Suggested Readings for the name Knowles +

  • Descendants & Antecedents of Darius Daniel Knowles by Beverly Metzger.
  • Descendants of John Knowles by Virginia Knowles Hufbauer.

  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. 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)
  12. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  13. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 155 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1822
  17. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
  18. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
  19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  20. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  21. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  22. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  23. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  24. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html


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