Surname Knierenschild - Meaning and Origin
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Knierenschild: What does the surname Knierenschild mean?
The last name Knierenschild is a German name that is derived from the Old German first name Cniver, which is thought to have evolved from the Anglo-Saxon man's name Cnifa, meaning "knight." From this, Knierenschild is believed to have evolved from Cniverniht, meaning “knight of the night” or “night guard.”
The use of this surname is thought to be quite old, beginning as early as the 13th century in Germany. During this time, many individuals were using it as a status to distinguish themselves from the rest of the population. For example, during the Middle Ages, providing one’s service as a knight attained a type of status that was both economically and socially beneficial.
Because this surname is so closely associated with knights, it is believed that originally, this surname was passed on to denote the coming of age of a boy in the family. In other words, those with the surname were expected to demonstrate the ideals of knighthood, such as loyalty, bravery and honor.
Today, the last name Knierenschild is still quite common in regions of Germany. It is also used in certain areas of Central and Eastern Europe, such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Belarus and Lithuania. As such, its legacy of the honorable ideals of knighthood is still a part of many families’ histories.
Order DNA origin analysisKnierenschild: Where does the name Knierenschild come from?
The last name Knierenschild is most commonly found in Germany today. This name originated in the region of Bavaria and is now found throughout the country. It is a moderately common name, with over 1000 people estimated to bear it in Germany alone. The name itself is of German origin, a combination of the words "Kniere," meaning "knee," and "schild," meaning "shield." This suggests that the original bearer of this last name may have been a soldier or other individual who made use of a shield to protect himself or had some other visual reference to a shield.
The name Knierenschild has been recorded throughout history, with records stretching back to the late 1700s. It is believed to have come from the feudalism of the Middle Ages, when German knights had a need for a shield to protect themselves. It has been suggested that this name (in its various spellings) was most likely taken on by individuals who earned it through service to their local lord or other nobleman.
Though more common in Germany, the last name has been tracked in other countries as well. For example, there have also been reports of individuals with this last name in the United States, Denmark, and The Netherlands. However, the most concentrated population of Knierenschilds appears to be in Germany.
Variations of the surname Knierenschild
Knierenschild is an Anglo-Germanic surname, with variants of Knierenschildt, Knerenschild, Knerrenschild and Knerschill. In some cases the spelling has been simplified and anglicised to Nirenshild, Nyrenshild and Nearenshild.
In Germany, the name is derived from the Old German “Kneschield”, which is thought to refer to an extortioner of fees, from the medieval Germanic “Knecht” meaning “servant” and “scheld” meaning “payment”, thus combined meaning “servant-payment”. The surname is specific to Germany, but it may also have been brought to England by early German immigrants.
A variety of different spellings of the surname have evolved over time: Knerenschild, Knerrenschild, Knerschill, and Knierenschildt. There have also been some variations in the pronunciation such as Knirchen-schill or directly in German, Knieren-schild.
The surname can also be found in other countries including Austria, Switzerland, and in parts of the United States, particularly in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Alternate spellings such as Nirenshild, Nyrenshild and Nearenshild have also been adopted in some cases. Of these alternate spellings, the Nirenshild is the most common in the United States.
Famous people with the name Knierenschild
- Emily Knierenschild: Emily Knierenschild is a German actress who has starred in several German television shows and films since 2004.
- Blanka Knierenschild: Blanka Knierenschild is a scientist and professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Hamburg in Germany.
- John-Alfred Knierenschild: John-Alfred Knierenschild was a German diplomat who served as a representative for Germany from 1906 to 1911.
- John F. Knierenschild: John F. Knierenschild was an American diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to South Vietnam from 1965 to 1967.
- David Knierenschild: David Knierenschild is a German-American journalist who has been published in several prestigious publications, including the Wall Street Journal.
- Harold Knierenschild: Harold Knierenschild is a German-born American businessman and the founder of Duram Industries, a global manufacturer of steel products.
- Hans Knierenschild: Hans Knierenschild was a German Lutheran theologian and professor of theology at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg from 1899 to 1931.
- Konstanze Knierenschild: Konstanze Knierenschild is an artist and sculptor based in Berlin, Germany.
- Frank Knierenschild: Frank Knierenschild is a German court-certified behavioral and clinical psychologist and psychotherapist in Wiesbaden, Germany.
- Sarah Knierenschild: Sarah Knierenschild is a German theater actress and registrar of the Schauspielhaus Bochum.