Knight — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Unknown origin Rank #209 in the US 136,713 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#209
▼ Down 10 since 2000
People in the US
136,713
46.35 per 100K people
Origin
Unknown
Unknown

Origin & Meaning of the Knight Surname

What does the last name Knight mean?

The surname Knight carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 136,713 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Knight ranks as the #209 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Knight come from?

The Knight surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Knight name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Knight trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Unknown Unknown

Quick Facts

Surname Knight
Meaning Origin and meaning under research
Origin Unknown
Language Unknown
US Rank (2010) #209
US Count (2010) 136,713
Per 100K People 46.35
First Letter K

Ethnic Distribution of Knight

According to the US Census, the Knight surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 136,713 Americans with the Knight last name.

White 72.31%
Black 21.61%
Hispanic 2.5%
Asian/PI 0.52%
Native American 0.9%
Two+ Races 2.17%
Ethnic distribution of the Knight surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White72.31%
Black21.61%
Hispanic2.5%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.52%
Native American0.9%
Two or More Races2.17%

Popularity of Knight Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Knight surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#199
131,860 people
Down 10
Census 2010
#209
136,713 people

The number of Americans with the Knight surname increased by 4,853 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Knight Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Knight ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Knight

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Knight.

Other Unknown Surnames

Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Knight.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knight

The surname Knight is of Unknown origin. Origin and meaning under research
The surname Knight is ranked #209 in the United States with approximately 136,713 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Origin and meaning under research. The name has Unknown roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Knight surname is distributed as: 72.3% White, 21.6% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Knight ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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