Meaning and Origin of the Knittel/Knittle Name and Knittel/Knittle Family

The German surname "Knittel" was introduced into the United States by German immigrants at an early date. The "Passenger and Immigration Lists Index" records that one Joseph Knittel arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1753 with his wife Regina Magdalena Fuglin and son Johannes George Knittel, aged 12. Knittel is a variant of Knüttel and of nickname origin, descriptive of some personal or physical characteristic of the original bearer. In this instance, the name is a derivative of the Middle High German word "knüttel" meaning "short, thick cudgel, a typical farmer's weapon" and when used figuratively this term came to denote a plum, coarse and often rude person. Variants of this surname include Knittle, Knettle, Knettles, Knüttel, Knettel and Knöttel (Other varients include: Nettles, Nettle, Nittle, Gnittle, Nipple). This surname or a variant appears in records since 1231 when one Walther von Weinheim, dictus Knutel is listed. Conr.dictus Knuttel is mentioned as living in Schönau, near Heidelberg in 1240 and Jesco Knütel is recorded in 1378. In 1438 Konr. Knittel appears in records related to Gebrazhofen near Wlangen and George Knuttel was mayor of AIsfeld in 1655. The "Lists of Passengers Arriving at U.S. Ports" contain a reference to one J. Knittel, a 24 year old farmer, who sailed from Bremen to New York on the "Child Harold" in May 1852. In September of the same year, Ferdinand Knitlel, a 28 year old tailor from Mecklenburg, and Friedrike, aged 25, were passengers on the "Southener" which sailed from Hamburg to New York. Marianne Knittel, aged 30, sailed from Le Havre to New York in March 1868 on board the "Cella". Her final destination is listed as Buffalo. The Knittel family origin is Germany.  (Information from: The Historical Research Center)

The Town of Knittlingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg Germany

Probably where the Knittel Family originated

The town of Knittlingen, Baden-Wurttemberg
Map provided by Dorothy Knittle MacPherson

The town of Knittlingen, Baden-Wurttemberg 2  from Google Maps 

Knittlingen, Wurttemberg (From  www.flickr.com)

Probably where the Knittel family originated

Knittlingen, Wurttemberg 2

Knittlingen, Wurttemberg 3

Knittlingen, Wurttemberg 4

Knittlingen, Wurttemberg 5

Groetzingen, Schwarzwaldkreis, Wurttemberg, Germany 

Stephan Knittel was born in 1550 and Johannes Knittel was born in 1572

in Groetzingen, Schwarzwaldkreis, Wurttemberg, Germany

The town of Groetzingen, Wurttemberg (Map from www.remmick.org)

Groetzingen, Wurttemberg (From www.flickr.com)

Groetzingen, Wurttemberg 2

Groetzingen, Wurttemberg 3

Groetzingen, Wurttemberg 4

Schwaikheim, Neckarkreis, Wurttemberg, Germany

Hans Knittel born 1595 and Hans Knittel born 1633 were born in Schwaikheim, Neckarkreis, Wurttemberg. Schwaikheim is situated about 25 kilometres east of Stuttgart. 

The town of Schwaikheim, Neckarkreis, Wurttemberg (Map from Google Maps)

Schwaikheim, Wurttemberg 1

Schwaikheim, Wurttemberg 2

Schwaikheim, Wurttemberg 3​​ (From www.flickr.com)

 Schwaikheim, Wurttemberg 4 (From www.flickr.com)

Schwaikheim, Wurttemberg 5 (From www.flickr.com)

Schwaikheim, Wurttemberg 6

Schwaikheim Coat of Arms

Schmiden, Neckarkreis, Wurttemberg, Germany

Josef Knittel was born in 1752 in Schmiden, Neckarkreis, Wurttemberg

The town of Schmiden, Neckarkreis, Wurttemberg

Schmiden by Hans O. Kauffmann

Schmiden, Wurttemberg  1

Schmiden, Wurttemberg 2 (www.flickr.org)

Schmiden, Wurttemberg 3

Schmiden, Wurttemberg 4

Schmiden, Wurttemberg 5   Schmiden Coat of Arms 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wappen_Schmiden.png

Oberesslingen, Neckarkreis, Wurttemberg

Josef Knittel's 2nd wife and children were born in Oberesslingen, Neckarkreis, Wurttemberg (Oberessingen means Upper Esslingen).   

The town of Oberesslingen, Neckarkreis, Wurttemberg (Upper Esslingen)

Oberesslingen, Wurttemberg 1 (www.flickr.org)

Oberesslingen, Wurttemberg 2

Oberesslingen, Wurttemberg 3

Oberesslingen, Wurttemberg 4

Oberesslingen, Wurttemberg 5

Oberesslingen, Wurttemberg 6

More Maps

The maps below show the close proximity of the towns in which the Knittle family lived through many generations. 

The above map shows Schwaikheim, Schmiden and Oberesslingen. Groetzingen and Knittlingen are off of this map to the left. 

Groetzingen is found on this map and Knittlingen is very close to Bretten but not labeled. Schwaikheim, Schmiden and Oberesslingen are off to the lower right.