Surname Knollmeier - Meaning and Origin

Knollmeier: What does the surname Knollmeier mean?

The surname Knollmeier is a German surname believed to have originated from the Old High German word knolo meaning “hill.” It is a topographic name for someone living on a hill or from a place that has the name of a hill such as Knollmeiersberg. Alternatively, the surname may be derived from a placename or job title.

Knoll is a common element in some locations across Germany. In Saxony-Anhalt, for example, Knollenberg is found near Dessau, and Knolle is located in Brandenburg just outside of Berlin. There are also multiple locations in Schleswig-Holstein, all in the vicinity of Kiel.

The suffix -meier has several definitions but is most often associated with a farming family. A meier was a magistrate, judge, and local administrator, and it can also be a term of respect for a prominent person or an honorable individual. It can also signify a patronymic name, meaning that it was passed down from father to son.

In conclusion, the last name Knollmeier may describe someone who lived on a hill, was related to a respected member of the community, or was from a place bearing the name Knollmeier.

Knollmeier: Where does the name Knollmeier come from?

The last name Knollmeier is most commonly found in Germany and the neighboring countries of Austria and Switzerland today. It is believed to have originated in Germany, as most German surnames do, although the exact origin is unknown. The Knollmeier surname is estimated to be held by about 4,500 people around the world today, the majority of which reside in Germany.

In the German language, the translation of the name Knollmeier is “cliff meadow.” This could suggest a meaning of a meadow located at a cliff's base, or even of someone who lived around a cliff or mountain. It may also be a reference to a family's origin to a hilly terrain.

In the 20th century it was rare to find Knollmeiers outside of German-speaking countries, but today it is becoming increasingly more common as people of all backgrounds increasingly intermarry and move around the world. For example, there are Knollmeiers in the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and South Africa.

In Germany, Knollmeier is most commonly found in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, the most populous state in Germany. It is the home of the University of Mainz, one of the oldest universities in Germany.

The Knollmeier name is an interesting one as its various interpretations could suggest one of many possible origins and meanings. It is interesting to note that a relatively rare surname can still be found in various countries across the world today.

Variations of the surname Knollmeier

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Knollmeier are Knollemeier, Knöllmeier, Knöllmey, Knöhlmeier and Knöhlmey.

The surname Knollmeier is derived from the German language, as the roots of the name can be found in the medieval German words ‘Knol’, ‘Knohel’ or ‘Knoll’, which I believe translates into a topographical name for someone that lived near a knoll or hill.

The variant spelling for the name Knollmeier is Knollemeier, as this is the most common German form of the surname, it comes from the German word for 'knoll'. Both Knöllmeier and Knöllmey are spelling variations which add the German ‘ö’ to the name, instead of the traditional ‘o’ sound.

Knöhlmeier and Knöhlmey are both spelling variations of the same origin, with the added German umlaut ‘ö’ replacing the ‘o’ sound. The root of these two surnames come from the German words specifically ‘Knöhel’ or ‘Knöhl’ translating to a hill or protrusion landform.

Regardless of the variant spelling, they all reflect the same origin of the surname. The ‘meier’, ‘mey’ or ’mayer’ is the final part of the surname which translates to ‘mayor’ reflecting a characteristic of an individual, such as being the mayor of a village or holding land rights.

Famous people with the name Knollmeier

• Dave Knollmeier: Football Player for the Detroit Lions
• Nott Knollmeier: Actor and Television Personality
• Chris Knollmeier: Olympic Bobsledder
• Michael Knollmeier: Professional Surfer
• Carol Knollmeier: Pianist and Composer
• Steve Knollmeier: Former Major League Baseball Player
• Paul Knollmeier: Artist and Painter
• Richard Knollmeier: Novelist and Creative Writer
• Robert Knollmeier: Architect and Civil Engineer
• John Knollmeier: Professional Golfer

Other surnames

Knollmeyer