Surname Knötge - Meaning and Origin

Knötge: What does the surname Knötge mean?

The surname Knötge is of German or Dutch origin. Its meaning is derived from the Middle High German word 'knoten', which translates to 'knot' or 'tie'. This suggests that the surname is likely derived from an occupational name and was first borne by a person who held the title of 'knotter' - a person skilled in the creating and tying of knots.

The Knötge surname can be found mostly in Germany today and there is a small but noticeable population in North America, stemming from German immigrants in the mid-1900s.

Knötge is a modern spelling of the surname and the original spelling may have varied over time, with some examples including Knotge, Knöge, Knütge, and Kötge.

Knötge is sometimes referenced in historical documents, in particular for a well-known family of 15th century merchants and patricians in the town of Buer who went by the surname of Knötge, which is likely the origin of the surname.

Knötge families from the 16th and 17th centuries can be found amongst the German aristocracy, with the Knötge family tree beginning with a member of the Imperial House of Hohenzollern, Friedrich Wilhelm Knötge.

Knötge families also branched out to Lüneburg, Danzig, and Saint Petersburg. The Knötges of Lüneburg are significant for producing a series of philosophical and religious works.

So, the name Knötge is likely derived from an occupational name, has been used by members of the nobility across Europe, and has a centuries-long lineage. Today it is common to find Knötge families living in Germany and North America.

Knötge: Where does the name Knötge come from?

The last name Knötge is quite uncommon and is not found across the whole world today. It is most common in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, with occasional occurrences in the United States, especially in areas of immigration from these countries.

In Denmark, the last name Knötge is believed to mainly originate from the towns of Mors and Thisted. While it is not as common today as it may have been in the past, it does still have occurrences throughout the country, including the towns of Køge, Skødstrup, and Rønde.

In German-speaking countries, the last name is quite widespread, appearing all over Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Within Germany, particularly strong concentrations appear in the former East Germany, in the area around Thuringia, but it also appears throughout the country.

In the Netherlands, the last name is primarily found in the Friesland region, but it also appears in other parts of the country, from North to South.

In the United States, the last name appears in small numbers in areas with large German-speaking or Dutch-speaking immigration, such as parts of Pennsylvania and some rural counties in the Midwest.

All in all, today the last name Knötge is most common in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, appearing in few if any other countries or regions.

Variations of the surname Knötge

Knötge is a German surname which is a variant of the English surname Knotts. These surnames are derived from the Middle English knoth or knot which translates to "an uneven and gnarled lump of wood, or a small hill". The alternative spellings of Knötge include Knotge, Knotts, Notge, and Notting.

The surname Knötge can also be found in the form Knötges, which is the plural form of the original. It is mostly found in north-western Germany, particularly in Schleswig-Holstein.

The surname Knotts is common in the United Kingdom, but is also found in Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Often, when a German family migrates to one of these countries, their surname will change to Knotts from its original German spelling of Knötge. The German spelling can still sometimes be found among families who have remained in Germany.

Variant spellings of Knotts include Knotts, Notts, Nott, Notge, and Knottge. The surname Notge can also be found in the form of Notges, which is the plural form of the original. This surname is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as in the United States.

Surnames of similar origin include Nott, as well as Notte and Notger. Nott is derived from Old English and is found largely among families of British and Irish descent. Notte is a variant of Nott and can be found in Germany, as well as in the United States. Notger is usually Swedish in origin and is sometimes anglicized to Knotts.

Famous people with the name Knötge

• Kurt Knötge (1890-1967): Doctor of Medicine and Nazi physical educator.
• Paul Knötge (1895-1955): German film director and actor.
• Leonhard Knötge (1852−1931): German Lawyer and Mayor of Hamburg.
• Heinrich Knötge (1835-1908): German born maritime expert from Bremerhaven.
• Hans-Jürgen Knötge (b. 1943): German painter and professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Dresden.
• Sten Knötge (b. 1930): Swedish photographer, photojournalist, and fashion photographer.
• Johan Knötge (1808-1876): Swedish builder in the city of Malmö.
• Johannes Knötge (1837-1912): German businessman and entrepreneur.
• Ahasuerus Knötge (1854-1934): German language teacher and Methodist minister.
• Margarethe Knötge (1856-1925): German writer and Nobel Prize nominee.

Other surnames

Knötgen