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Knapper Family History

Knapper Surname Meaning

English: topographic name from Middle English knap(p)er(e), an agent derivative of knap(pe) ‘knob hillock’ for someone who lived by a hilltop or hillock; compare Knapp.

German (also Knäpper): habitational name for someone from either of two places in Westphalia named Knapp.

German (Knäpper): unflattering nickname from an agent derivative of knappen ‘to be stingy’ or in some places ‘to grab or snatch’.

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


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Where is the Knapper family from?

You can see how Knapper families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Knapper family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. The most Knapper families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 251 Knapper families living in Staffordshire. This was about 71% of all the recorded Knapper's in United Kingdom. Staffordshire had the highest population of Knapper families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Knapper surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Knapper ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Knapper. 29% of Knapper men worked as a General Labourer and 77% of Knapper women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Knapper were Brickyard Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Dut.

View Census Data for Knapper | 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 1939

  • General Labourer
    29%
  • Insurance Agent
    11%
  • Colliery Hewer H W
    4%
  • Brickyard Labourer
    4%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    77%
  • Unpaid Domestic Dutie
    4%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    4%
  • Unpaid Domestic Dut
    4%

What Knapper family records will you find?

Census Records

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

Search UK census records for Knapper

Passenger Lists

There are 713 immigration records available for the last name Knapper. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Knapper immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Knapper. For the veterans among your Knapper ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Knapper military records

You've only scratched the surface of Knapper family history

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What is the average Knapper lifespan?

Between 1953 and 2004, in the United States, Knapper life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1955, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Knapper in 1953 was 43, and 86 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Knapper

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Knapper 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.

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