Surname Knieling - Meaning and Origin

Knieling: What does the surname Knieling mean?

The last name Knieling is of German origin and is derived from the name Kneilinger, which is a variant form of the surnames Kneeling or Kneeler. The name is derived from the German verb "kneilen," meaning "to kneel," and was likely given to someone who was an especially devout or devoutly religious person.

In German, the last name Knieling is a toponymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the name of a place or region. A possible origin of the name is Mecklenburg, a German state located on the northern coast of the country. It is possible that the name originated during medieval times in the region, and was given to someone belonging to a small town in the area; someone who was known for their strong faith and commitment to Christianity.

The name Knieling has existed in Germany since at least the 13th century, and is still quite popular today, mainly as a surname in Germany. The surname is also found in other countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where it is sometimes encountered as Kneiling.

Knieling: Where does the name Knieling come from?

The last name Knieling is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a relatively rare name with approximately 3,500 people across Germany with the name. The name is thought to derive from the German words "Knie," meaning "kneed," and "Ling," meaning "meadow," so the name translates to "one who kneels in the meadow".

The surname Knieling is widespread throughout Germany; there is at least one instance of the name present in almost all twenty sixteen federated states in Germany. Most notably, however, the name is concentrated in the Western region of North Rhine-Westphalia. Specifically, the city of Essen is home to the most Knieling families, followed by the nearby cities of Cologne and Duisburg.

Additionally, the name Knieling is also present in other parts of Europe, notably Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands. In the United States, the name is a bit more uncommon. According to the 2020 U.S. Census data, there are only five individuals with the surname Knieling living in the United States. It is likely that all five are immigrants from Germany or other parts of Europe.

In conclusion, the surname Knieling is most commonly found in Germany today, although there are also a few individuals with the name living in other parts of Europe and the United States. The popularity of the name in Germany likely stems from the fact that it has a strong historical connection to the country.

Variations of the surname Knieling

The surname Knieling, also spelled Kneeling, is from a German origin. The original spelling of the name is Kniewling, which can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The “K” at the start of the name is a modern spelling variation.

The variations of the name can include the spelling variations Knibbling, Kneblin, Knabbling, Knapbling, Knapblin, and Knobbling. These different spellings may have been used by different branches of the same family, which may have moved around in German-speaking regions.

Alternative surnames of the same origin may include Knebel, Kneble, Knieling, Knibbeler, Knippeler, Knippling, Knibbeling, Knobling, Kodelins, Koppelins, and Köpke.

Generally matters such as migration and illiteracy have meant many families have changed their surname spelling over the years, so Knieling, along with all the other variants, is a name which has many different spellings.

Famous people with the name Knieling

• Martin Knieling: German footballer in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga with several clubs, including Rot-Weiss Essen and Marburg.
• Rico Knieling: German footballer in the 3. Liga with Alemannia Aachen.
• John Knieling: American football player and Olympian.
• Lawson Knieling: American football player at the University of Iona.
• Andreas Knieling: German footballer in the Regionalliga Nord with VfB Lübeck.
• Peter Knieling: German-born American ski racer and Olympic medalist.
• Annemarie Knieling: German athlete and Olympian.
• William Knieling: American football player, appearing in the NFL and the Assumption Greyhounds.
• Jürgen Knieling: German author and journalist.
• Art Knieling: American artist and sculptor.

Other surnames

Knielink