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

Kneedler, 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 Kneedler surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kneedler in America

Kneedler is the 67747th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kneedler surname appeared 291 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kneedler.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kneedler 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 Kneedler

The surname Kneedler has its roots in the German language and originated in the central European region, particularly in areas that are now part of modern-day Germany. It is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 13th or 14th century.

One theory suggests that the name Kneedler is derived from the German word "Knödel," which refers to a type of dumpling or small bread roll. It is possible that the name was initially given as a descriptive surname to someone who was associated with the baking or selling of these traditional German dumplings.

Another hypothesis traces the origin of the name to an occupational surname related to the German word "kneten," which means "to knead" or "to work with dough." In this case, the name may have been bestowed upon an individual who worked as a baker or a miller, reflecting their profession of kneading dough.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Kneedler can be found in various historical documents from the region, such as parish records, tax rolls, and census data from the 16th and 17th centuries. Some variations in spelling, such as Knedler or Knödler, were also common during this period.

One notable person with the surname Kneedler was Johann Kneedler, a German military officer who lived in the late 16th century and served in the army of the Holy Roman Empire. Another individual of note was Hans Kneedler, a successful merchant and trader based in Nuremberg, who lived in the mid-17th century and played a role in the city's thriving textile industry.

In the 18th century, a man named Friedrich Kneedler gained recognition as a skilled clockmaker and watchmaker in the city of Augsburg, which was renowned for its craftsmanship in these fields. His intricate timepieces were highly sought after and can still be found in various museums and private collections.

Moving into the 19th century, the name Kneedler appears in records related to the German migration to North America. One such individual was Wilhelm Kneedler, who emigrated from Baden, Germany, to the United States in the 1840s and settled in Pennsylvania, where he worked as a farmer.

Another noteworthy figure was Anna Kneedler, a German-born artist and painter who lived in the late 19th century and gained recognition for her landscapes and portraits. Her works were exhibited in several art galleries across Europe, and some of her pieces can be found in museums in Germany and Austria.

While the surname Kneedler may not be among the most common surnames globally, its rich history and connection to traditional German culture and craftsmanship make it a unique and intriguing name with a fascinating backstory.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kneedler

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

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 Kneedler 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 Kneedler 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 Kneedler was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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