Explore the Family Name Knobel
The meaning of Knobel
1. German and Swiss German (also Knöbel): from Middle High German knübel, probably a nickname for a fat person or in the sense ‘ankle’. However, the term also denotes a rounded elevation and may therefore also be a topographic name for someone who lived by a knoll. Knöbel is also an archaic word for a servant, a variant of Knabel. 2. Jewish (Ashkenazic; also Knöbel): artificial name from German Knobel (also Knöbel) ‘knot, node, outgrowth, knuckle’. 3. Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic): nickname from Yiddish knobl ‘garlic’. Some characteristic forenames: Jewish Aba, Meyer, Toba, Yakov.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Knobel in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Knobel has seen a slight decrease in its popularity rank from 20,982 in 2000 to 21,218 in 2010, marking a 1.12% drop. However, the count of people bearing this surname increased by 5.91% during the same period, rising from 1,168 in 2000 to 1,237 in 2010. Despite this increase in count, the proportion per 100,000 people slightly declined by 2.33%, from 0.43 in 2000 to 0.42 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #20,982 | #21,218 | -1.12% |
| Count | 1,168 | 1,237 | 5.91% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.43 | 0.42 | -2.33% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Knobel
Regarding the ethnic identity associated with the surname Knobel, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data, there was a significant shift over the decade. In 2000, the majority identified as White (97%), but by 2010 this decreased by 1.66% to 95.39%. The percentage identifying as Hispanic saw the most considerable rise, increasing by 106.98% from 0.86% to 1.78%. Those identifying with two or more races also grew, from 1.11% in 2000 to 1.54% in 2010. Meanwhile, in both years, there were no recorded instances of individuals identifying as Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian and Alaskan Native although there appeared to be a small percentage (0.81%) identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 97% | 95.39% | -1.66% |
| Hispanic | 0.86% | 1.78% | 106.98% |
| Two or More Races | 1.11% | 1.54% | 38.74% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.81% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |