Surname Knyghte - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Knyghte: What does the surname Knyghte mean?
The last name Knyghte is a variation of the surname Knight, which has Old English origins. This surname was mostly given to a serving boy, or a domestic servant, but it was also given to someone who was a professional soldier, a knight. The name Knight is derived from the Old English term 'cniht', which translates to boy, youth, or serving lad. This surname occurred in many references, and spelling variations include Knight, Knights, Knyght, and Knighte. The use of 'y' was a common substitution in Old English to represent the 'i' sound. Sometimes, this surname was chosen by soldiers, knights in the medieval period for their exploits or occupations. It retained its original status and recognition as an honourable title before it became a surname. Thus, individuals with the last name Knyghte may trace their ancestry back to someone who had a chivalric status, or served as a domestic servant or boy.
Order DNA origin analysisKnyghte: Where does the name Knyghte come from?
The surname Knyghte is of Anglo-Saxon origin and predominantly found in England. The name is derived from the Old English pre-7th Century "Cniht", meaning "boy", "youth" or "serving lad", later "a follower of a knight" and finally. The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages due to its association with the ideal of chivalry. The surname's first recorded spelling in public records dates back to the 11th century in England.
Over time, variants of Knyghte such as Knight, Knights, Knighte and Knyght have also emerged. Today, while there are individuals with the surname Knyghte around the world, the highest concentration can still be found in the United Kingdom, specifically in England. However, the form "Knight" is more commonly seen due to social and linguistic evolutions. The name Knyghte is comparatively very rare.
Please note that because surnames can be influenced by migration, marriage, and other factors, pin-pointing a precise region that has a high prevalence of this surname today is challenging.
Keep in mind that a large percentage of modern Knyghtes, Knights, etc. may not be directly descended from the original bearers of the surname, but rather have adopted the name due to its symbolic association with valor, chivalry, and nobility.
Variations of the surname Knyghte
The surname Knyghte is closely related to the English word "Knight", which comes from the Old English cniht (meaning "boy" or "servant"). The name was used as a social title in the Middle Ages for a gentleman trained for active military service.
Alternative spellings can include Knight, Knights, Knighte, Knygte, and Knyght. Other common spellings and regional variations may have included Neyt, Knet, Knecht, Knaught, and Knegt. It's of Anglo-Saxon origin and was possibly adopted as a surname from the term for a military follower or as a job descriptive for someone who behaved like a knight.
Knightley or Knightly is another variant derived from a geographical location (from "lea", meaning "meadow"). This indicates that the initial bearer of the name inhabited or worked in a place known as Knightley.
Knightsmith could be another variant, possibly given to a smith who had knighthood, or a smith who was in service of a knight.
However, due to variations in pronunciation and regional influences, the same name could often appear differently in written records. Many of these forms could be used interchangeably, even within the same family records.
Famous people with the name Knyghte
- William Knyghte: 13th-century English statesman who was a close associate of Edward I.
- William Knyghte the Elder: 15th-century English lawyer and politician who served as Sheriff of London.
- Richard Knyghte: 15th-century English lawyer and mayor of Westminster.
- John Knyghte: 15th-century English member of parliament for County Durham.
- Thomas Knyghte: 16th-century English lawyer and politician who was associated with the Inner Temple.
- Edward Knyghte: 16th-century English Member of Parliament for West Looe and West Looe Antiq.
- William Knyghte the Younger: 16th-century English member of parliament for Saltash.
- Charles Knyghte: 17th-century English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Dover.
- William Knyghte: 18th-century English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Carlisle.
- Thomas Knyghte: 18th-century English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Midhurst.
- William Knyghte: 19th-century English historian and Deputy Controller of Her Majesty's Munitions.
- Alfred Knyghte: 20th-century English polo player who won the US Open Polo Championship in 1930.
- Cynthia Knyghte: 20th-century English film actress best known for her role in the 1933 film The Ghost Camera.