UK surname
A surname potentially derived from an ancestor's occupation as a cutler or knife maker.
In the 1881 census there were 84 people recorded with the Knife surname, ranking it #21,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 24, ranked #36,392, down from #21,690 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to -, St George in the East and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Knife is 205 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 71.4%.
1881 census count
84
Ranked #21,690
Modern count
24
2016, ranked #36,392
Peak year
1911
205 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Knife surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Knife surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 86 | #18,820 |
| 1861 | historical | 137 | #16,465 |
| 1881 | historical | 84 | #21,690 |
| 1891 | historical | 80 | #26,785 |
| 1901 | historical | 94 | #23,588 |
| 1911 | historical | 205 | #14,733 |
| 1997 | modern | 31 | #34,582 |
| 1998 | modern | 26 | #35,254 |
| 1999 | modern | 25 | #35,413 |
| 2000 | modern | 24 | #35,498 |
| 2001 | modern | 24 | #35,357 |
| 2002 | modern | 25 | #35,428 |
| 2003 | modern | 26 | #35,371 |
| 2004 | modern | 24 | #35,697 |
| 2005 | modern | 28 | #35,510 |
| 2006 | modern | 26 | #35,822 |
| 2007 | modern | 22 | #36,213 |
| 2008 | modern | 21 | #36,355 |
| 2009 | modern | 21 | #36,470 |
| 2010 | modern | 21 | #36,530 |
| 2011 | modern | 22 | #36,430 |
| 2012 | modern | 25 | #36,227 |
| 2013 | modern | 25 | #36,276 |
| 2014 | modern | 26 | #36,244 |
| 2015 | modern | 24 | #36,364 |
| 2016 | modern | 24 | #36,392 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around -, St George in the East, London parishes and St Mary Whitechapel. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | City Of London |
| 2 | St George in the East | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 4 | St Mary Whitechapel | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | London parishes | London 3 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Knife surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Knife, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Knife surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Knife household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Knife is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Knife is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Knife, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "KNIFE" is of English origin, emerging in the late 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "cnif," which referred to a small cutting tool or blade. This word eventually evolved into the modern English word "knife."
The earliest known record of the surname "KNIFE" dates back to 1273, when a John Knif was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire. In 1327, a Robert Knyf was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex. These early spellings, such as "Knif" and "Knyf," reflect the evolution of the surname from its Old English roots.
In the 14th century, the surname "KNIFE" appeared in various records across England, including the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, where a John Knyfe was mentioned. During this period, the name was likely associated with individuals who were involved in the trade or craft of knife-making, or those who carried knives as part of their occupation or status.
One notable early bearer of the surname was Sir Edmund Knyfeth, a 14th-century English landowner and member of the gentry from Norfolk. He was mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1348.
The surname "KNIFE" also had variations in spelling, such as "Knyfe," "Knyff," and "Knyffe," reflecting regional dialects and pronunciation differences. For example, in 1428, a John Knyff was recorded in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire.
In the 16th century, the surname "KNIFE" continued to appear in various records across England. One notable bearer was William Knyff, a yeoman from Staffordshire, who was mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1524.
Another individual with the surname "KNIFE" was Thomas Knyffe, a 16th-century English poet and playwright. He was born around 1545 and is known for his work "The Sycilian Tragedy," published in 1567.
As time progressed, the surname "KNIFE" continued to be found in various parts of England, with bearers hailing from regions such as Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Staffordshire. While not a widespread surname, it has persisted throughout the centuries, reflecting its origins in the Old English language and the craft of knife-making.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Knife surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 58 Knifes recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.16x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 58 | 7.16x |
| Berkshire | 6 | 9.87x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 0.62x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.76x |
| Essex | 2 | 1.25x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.26x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.25x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.60x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.77x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.73x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.95x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Marylebone London in Middlesex leads with 24 Knifes recorded in 1881 and an index of 55.53x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Marylebone London | 24 | 55.53x |
| St George In East London | 9 | 118.27x |
| Islington London | 7 | 8.92x |
| St Anne Soho London | 7 | 151.52x |
| Yattendon | 5 | 5555.56x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 4 | 23.22x |
| Salford | 3 | 10.62x |
| Bristol St George | 2 | 27.25x |
| Camberwell | 2 | 3.87x |
| Fulham London | 2 | 17.04x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 4.44x |
| Leeds | 2 | 4.42x |
| Waltham Holy Cross | 2 | 134.23x |
| Whitechapel London | 2 | 25.06x |
| Flixborough | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Holdenhurst | 1 | 22.99x |
| Hulme | 1 | 4.99x |
| Layton With Warbreck | 1 | 28.41x |
| Lewes St John | 1 | 666.67x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.71x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 3.36x |
| Redditch | 1 | 46.73x |
| Streatham | 1 | 16.64x |
| Winkfield | 1 | 99.01x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Knife surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Knife surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Knife households.
FAQ
In 1881, 84 people were recorded with the Knife surname. That placed it at #21,690 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 24 in 2016. That gives Knife a modern rank of #36,392.
A surname potentially derived from an ancestor's occupation as a cutler or knife maker.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Knife bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.