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 Knife family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Knife Family History

Knife Surname Meaning

Americanized form of German Kneif, a variant of Kneip. English (London): nickname from Middle English knif ‘knife dagger’ (Old English cnīf) perhaps used for a cutler.

Compare Cutler Naismith. This surname is rare in Britain.

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 Knife family from?

You can see how Knife families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Knife family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Knife families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 7 Knife families living in Ontario. This was about 58% of all the recorded Knife's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Knife families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Knife 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 Knife ancestors do for a living?

In 1921, Laborer and Servant were the top reported jobs for men and women in the Canada named Knife. 50% of Knife men worked as a Laborer and 100% of Knife women worked as a Servant.

View Census Data for Knife | 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.

Top Male Occupations In 1921

  • Laborer
    50%
  • Farmer
    25%
  • Hunter
    25%

Top Female Occupations In 1921

  • Servant
    100%

What Knife family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 7,000 census records available for the last name Knife. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Knife census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Knife

Passenger Lists

There are 340 immigration records available for the last name Knife. 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 Knife immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Knife. For the veterans among your Knife ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Knife military records

You've only scratched the surface of Knife family history

Discover More

What is the average Knife lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2003, in the United States, Knife life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1986, and highest in 1978. The average life expectancy for Knife in 1963 was 82, and 71 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Knife

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Knife 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 Knife family tree

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