Surname Knapic - Meaning and Origin
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Knapic: What does the surname Knapic mean?
The last name Knapic is of Yugoslavian origin, implying that it likely originated in the former Yugoslavian countries of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, and North Macedonia. It is derived from the root word "krap", meaning "turnip". Historically many families in these regions were farmers, so it is possible that the Knapic family were farmers who grew turnips or whose surname was associated with the growing of turnips.
The name may also have originated from the root word "krapanje," meaning "digging," in reference to the family's occupation as diggers. The name Knapic in fact translates to “digger," with the original spelling "Knapac" being found in the early 19th century.
Today, the name Knapic is still common in the former Yugoslavian countries, especially Croatia where it is the 52nd most common surname. It is also a fairly common Croatian name in other countries, such as the United States, where it is the 10,100th most popular surname.
In the present day, those who bear the name Knapic can be proud of their genetic heritage and the legacy of their ancestors. They may be reminded that they are descendants of a hardworking family with a long and rich history in the region.
Order DNA origin analysisKnapic: Where does the name Knapic come from?
The last name Knapic is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe. It is especially common in the countries of Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia. In Croatia, it is the 47th most common name, with more than 3,800 people having this surname. It is also relatively popular among families living in Bosnia and Herzegovina with over 1,700 people with the last name Knapic.
In other parts of the world, Knapic is a much less common last name. According to a search on World Names Public Profiler, the last name is found in the United States; however, only 230 people in the entire country has this surname. The last name can also be found in other countries around the world, such as the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Germany, and Australia.
The origin of the name Knapic is unknown, but it is believed it has a Slavic origin. The name could mean “little one" and some experts believe that it was given to old, short people as a nickname. Others believe that the name refers to people who used to produce knapsacks, which is a type of bag, or knap, which means to cut.
The last name Knapic is relatively uncommon in the greater part of the world. However, in certain parts of Europe, it remains relatively popular, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, where it is one of the most common surnames.
Variations of the surname Knapic
The surname Knapic is of Croatian origin, and is typically spelled Knapic or Knapich. There are a number of other spellings and variants of the surname, including Knapek, Knapik, Knapichka, Knapikova, Knapikova, Knapič, Knapović, Knapić, Knapich, Knapiš, Knappich, Knappichka, Knapska, and Knapšich.
The name is derived from the Slovenian word ‘knap’, meaning ‘filled ear of corn’. It was likely used as a nickname for someone who worked in the fields, or someone with a distinct ear shape. In some cases, it may have been used as a given name.
The primary spelling of the surname, Knapic, is found throughout Croatia. The alternate spellings can also be found in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. Of the variant spellings, Knappich is the most commonly found outside of Croatia.
The surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as Austria, Hungary, and Romania, and is believed to have been brought to these regions by Croatian settlers. In some cases, it has been anglicized to Knapick.
Most of the variants of the Knapic surname are found in a limited region of Europe, so they remain relatively uncommon elsewhere. However, with increased globalization, it is likely that some variants of the surname will become more widely distributed.
Famous people with the name Knapic
- Matilda Knapic: Swedish actress best known for her roles in the films A Serious Game, Horizon and Out of Tune.
- Irena Knapic: Croatian actress who has been featured in films such as Voyage of an Ordinary, Kako se rijesiti svijeta, and Ne moze biti ranih zora.
- John Knapic: American professional soccer player who plays for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.
- Vladan Knapic: Serbian basketball player who has played for clubs such as FMP Belgrade and BC Igokea Aleksandrovac in the Serbian Basketball League.
- Ante Knapic: Croatian professional football player who currently plays for NK Sesvete club in the Croatian Second Division.
- Marko Knapic: Slovenian footballer who made his international debut for the Slovenian national team in 2015.
- Rahman Knapic: German basketball player who currently plays for Bayern Munich in the Basketball Bundesliga.
- Matthias Knapic: Austrian professional alpine skier who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
- Goran Knapic: Bosnian martial artist and professional MMA fighter who is a light heavyweight and middleweight competitor.
- Marko Knapic: Croatian artist who is best known for his sculptures crafted in public and private locations around the world.