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 Knisley family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Knisley Family History

Knisley Surname Meaning

Americanized form of Swiss German Knüsli: from a Swabian-Alemannic diminutive of Knaus.

Compare Kneisley, Knicely, Knisely, and Nicely.

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 Knisley family from?

You can see how Knisley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Knisley family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1840 and 1920. The most Knisley families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 7 Knisley families living in Cambridgeshire. This was about 88% of all the recorded Knisley's in United Kingdom. Cambridgeshire had the highest population of Knisley families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Knisley 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 Knisley ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Knisley. 21% of Knisley men worked as a Laborer and 11% of Knisley women worked as a Stenographer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Knisley were Labor and Teacher.

View Census Data for Knisley | 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, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    21%
  • Farmer
    19%
  • Salesman
    8%
  • Labor
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    11%
  • Housewife
    9%
  • New Worker
    8%
  • Teacher
    8%

What Knisley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 9,000 census records available for the last name Knisley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Knisley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Knisley

Passenger Lists

There are 338 immigration records available for the last name Knisley. 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 Knisley immigration records

Draft Cards

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

View all Knisley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Knisley family history

Discover More

What is the average Knisley lifespan?

Between 1946 and 2004, in the United States, Knisley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1953, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Knisley in 1946 was 49, and 82 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Knisley

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

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