Find out how popular the last name Knauss is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Knauss.

Knauss, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Knauss surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Knauss in America

Knauss is the 13690th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Knauss surname appeared 2,212 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Knauss.

We can also compare 2010 data for Knauss to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Knauss

The surname Knauss originated in Germany, with roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "Knaus," which referred to a knot or a gnarl. This could indicate that the name was initially given as a descriptive surname to someone with a knotted or gnarled appearance or perhaps someone who worked with knots or ropes.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Knauss can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, dating back to the 13th century. The name is also present in various medieval tax rolls and census records from various regions of Germany.

In the 15th century, a notable figure named Hans Knauss (1445-1517) was a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of Nuremberg. His legacy is reflected in the naming of the Knauss House, a historical building in Nuremberg that still stands today.

During the 16th century, the Knauss name gained prominence in the region of Silesia, which was then part of the Holy Roman Empire. Johann Knauss (1525-1594) was a respected Lutheran theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation in Silesia.

In the 17th century, a branch of the Knauss family migrated to the Netherlands, where they established themselves as skilled craftsmen and artisans. One notable figure from this era was Willem Knauss (1632-1698), a renowned Dutch painter known for his landscapes and seascapes.

As the Knauss family spread across Europe, variations in spelling emerged, such as Knaus, Knause, and Knausse. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and linguistic differences.

In the 18th century, Johann Christoph Knauss (1725-1789) was a celebrated German composer and organist who made significant contributions to the development of church music in his time.

The 19th century saw the Knauss name gain further recognition, with individuals like Friedrich Knauss (1824-1888), a German historian and author who wrote extensively on the history and culture of his native Bavaria.

These are just a few examples of the rich history and diverse individuals who have carried the surname Knauss throughout the centuries. The name's origins can be traced back to medieval Germany, and it has since spread across Europe, leaving an indelible mark on various fields, from commerce and religion to art and academia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Knauss

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Knauss.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Knauss was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Knauss has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Knauss was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Knauss, please contact us.

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