Explore the Family Name Knuckles
The meaning of Knuckles
English: nickname, probably from Middle English knokel(le)s ‘knuckles’, used for a fighter, for someone with noticeable knuckles, or for someone who was able to crack his knuckles loudly. This surname is rare in Britain.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Knuckles in the United States?
According to the data from the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname "Knuckles" has seen a slight decrease over the years. In 2000, it was ranked as the 11,753rd most common name in the United States. By 2010, it had slipped down to the 12,348th place, marking a -5.06% change in its rank. However, the total count of people bearing this surname increased from 2,442 in 2000 to 2,519 in 2010, demonstrating a 3.15% increase, but the proportion per 100k people dropped by 6.59%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #11,753 | #12,348 | -5.06% |
| Count | 2,442 | 2,519 | 3.15% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.91 | 0.85 | -6.59% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Knuckles
The ethnicity distribution of the surname "Knuckles" also experienced changes from 2000 to 2010 as per the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, the majority of the bearers identified as white (63.31%), followed by black (32.72%). The percentage of Knuckles identifying as white decreased slightly to 60.62% in 2010, while those identifying as black increased to 34.26%. There was a significant increase in the percentages of those identifying as Hispanic from 1.19% to 1.91%, and those identifying with two or more ethnic identities from 1.56% to 2.26%. Interestingly, by 2010, some bearers of the surname started identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native even though these groups were not represented in 2000.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 63.31% | 60.62% | -4.25% |
| Black | 32.72% | 34.26% | 4.71% |
| Two or More Races | 1.56% | 2.26% | 44.87% |
| Hispanic | 1.19% | 1.91% | 60.5% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0.75% | 0% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.2% | 0% |