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

Knotts, 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 Knotts surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Knotts in America

Knotts is the 4872nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Knotts surname appeared 7,232 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Knotts.

We can also compare 2010 data for Knotts 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 Knotts

The surname Knotts is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "cnotta," which means "a small lump or knot." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone with a distinctive physical characteristic, such as a knot-like protrusion or a stocky build.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Knotts can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, including "Cnotte" and "Knotte," reflecting the linguistic variations of the time.

The name Knotts was particularly prevalent in the northern counties of England, such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it is believed to have originated. In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Knottis residing in Yorkshire, indicating the presence of the name in that region.

Over the centuries, the Knotts surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the earliest was Sir John Knotts, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London during the 15th century. Another notable figure was Thomas Knotts, a Puritan minister born in 1603, who played a significant role in the religious and political turmoil of the English Civil War era.

In the 18th century, the name Knotts gained further recognition through the works of playwright and actor Joseph Knotts (1725-1802), whose comedic plays were widely performed in London theaters. Another individual of note was Sir John Knotts (1765-1837), a British naval officer who distinguished himself in the Napoleonic Wars.

One of the most famous bearers of the Knotts surname was the American actor and comedian Don Knotts (1924-2006), best known for his roles in the television series "The Andy Griffith Show" and several popular films. His comedic talents and memorable performances have cemented his place in the annals of American entertainment history.

While the Knotts surname has evolved over time, its origins can be traced back to medieval England, where it likely began as a descriptive nickname reflecting a physical characteristic. Through the centuries, the name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, clergymen, military officers, and entertainers, contributing to the rich tapestry of history and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Knotts

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

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

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

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