Knox
A Scottish surname from a place-name tied to a round-topped hill, later borne by one of Scotland’s best-known Reformation figures.
The #769 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 6,901 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Knox is a locational surname, originally meaning someone who came from the lands of Knocks or Knox in Renfrewshire. The place-name is linked with Gaelic cnoc, meaning “hill” or “round-topped hill.” In effect, the surname points back to a person who lived near or came from a hill called Knock/Knox.
History
The name is strongly associated with western Scotland, especially the old family of Knox of that Ilk in Renfrewshire. Some branches later used the style Ranfurly, and the surname became especially famous through John Knox, the Scottish Reformer. The name also spread into Ireland and then more widely in the English-speaking world.
Origin
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Fun fact
John Knox’s fame helped make this a particularly recognizable Scottish surname beyond its original local roots.
From the historical record
“KNOWLTON. A parish in Kent. KNOX. From the lands of Knocks or Knox, CO. Renfrew. Knock, Gael., a round- topped hill. The Knoxes were of that Ilk at an early period, and sometimes wrote themselves of Ranfurly, whence the family of Knox, Earls of Ranfurly in Ireland. The great Reformer was of this family. KNYFESMITH.…”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom