This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Knaus family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Knaus Family History

Knaus Surname Meaning

German: from Middle High German knūʒ ‘proud arrogant daring’ hence a nickname for a haughty person.

German: in Württemberg a nickname for a short fat gnarled person from knaus ‘gnarl’.

German: topographic name for someone living on a hillock from knaus ‘hillock’ in the Swabian and Alemannic dialects of German.

Slovenian: of German origin (see 1 above).

In North America this surname is also an altered form of the variant Knavs.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Knaus family from?

You can see how Knaus families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Knaus family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Knaus families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 25 Knaus families living in Manitoba. This was about 71% of all the recorded Knaus's in Canada. Manitoba had the highest population of Knaus families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Knaus surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Knaus ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Knaus. 18% of Knaus men worked as a Farmer and 18% of Knaus women worked as a Stenographer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Knaus were Salesman and Housewife.

View Census Data for Knaus | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, Canada data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    18%
  • Laborer
    16%
  • Truck Driver
    6%
  • Salesman
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    18%
  • Waitress
    12%
  • Clerk
    10%
  • Housewife
    10%

What Knaus family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 8,000 census records available for the last name Knaus. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Knaus census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Knaus

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Knaus. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Knaus immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 3,000 military records available for the last name Knaus. For the veterans among your Knaus ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Knaus military records

You've only scratched the surface of Knaus family history

Discover More

What is the average Knaus lifespan?

Between 1951 and 2004, in the United States, Knaus life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1961, and highest in 1996. The average life expectancy for Knaus in 1951 was 46, and 77 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Knaus

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Knaus ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Knaus family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial