Origin of the Knowles Surname
The Knowles surname is of Spanish/Portuguese origin (Spanish). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #1,239 with 28,460 Americans (9.65 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Knowles traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Knowles |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | Spanish/Portuguese |
| Language | Spanish |
| US Rank (2010) | #1,239 |
| US Count (2010) | 28,460 |
| Per 100K People | 9.65 |
| First Letter | K |
Ethnic Distribution of Knowles
Among 28,460 Americans named Knowles, the largest self-reported group is White (81.01%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Knowles Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Knowles moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Knowles family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Knowles Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Knowles Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Knowles
- ✓ The Knowles coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Knowles families live today
- ✓ Notable Knowles bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Knowles fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Knowles
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Knowles.
Other Spanish/Portuguese Surnames
Explore more surnames with Spanish/Portuguese roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Spanish/Portuguese origin as Knowles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Knowles
Top Surnames Starting with K
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter K, ranked by population.
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