Explore the Family Name Knell
The meaning of Knell
1. English (Kent): topographic name from Middle English knelle, knille ‘knoll, hill, hilltop’ (Old English cnyll(e)), for someone who lived at or near a knoll, or from a place so named, such as Knell House in Goring (Sussex). Compare Knill, Knoll. 2. South German: from Middle High German knellen ‘to cause to explode, snap one’s fingers’, hence a nickname for a noisy, loud-mouthed person, or in Swabia and Bavaria for someone who cursed a lot.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Knell in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Knell saw a slight decrease in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Knell was ranked as the 20,945th most popular surname, but it dropped to the 21,568th position in 2010, representing a 2.97% change. However, the count of people bearing this name increased from 1,170 to 1,210, signaling a growth of 3.42%. The proportion of people named Knell per 100,000 also dipped by about 4.65%, going from 0.43 to 0.41.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #20,945 | #21,568 | -2.97% |
| Count | 1,170 | 1,210 | 3.42% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.43 | 0.41 | -4.65% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Knell
When considering ethnic identity, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows that the majority of individuals with the surname Knell identified as White in both 2000 and 2010, with slight decrease of 1.66% over the decade. There was a significant increase of 71.43% in those identifying as Hispanic, though the overall percentage remained relatively low at 2.64% in 2010. The percentage of those identifying as having two or more ethnicities also rose by 44.53%, from 1.37% to 1.98%. The percentages for Asian/Pacific Islander showed a minor drop of 2.35% over the decade. There were no individuals with the surname Knell who identified as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 95.64% | 94.05% | -1.66% |
| Hispanic | 1.54% | 2.64% | 71.43% |
| Two or More Races | 1.37% | 1.98% | 44.53% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.85% | 0.83% | -2.35% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |