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)
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
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
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
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
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
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.