Knight Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Knight surname: its meaning, its roots in England, and its heraldry.
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Origin of the Knight name
Knight comes from Old English cniht, which first meant a youth or servant and later a mounted soldier who held land in return for military service. As a surname it was often given to a knight's servant or to a tenant holding land by knight service, rather than to knights themselves. It is common in southern England.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Knight name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Knight name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Knight family history
The researched Knight pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Knight coat of arms.
Knight name FAQ
What does the Knight name mean?
Servant; mounted soldier. Common variants include Knights, Knyght, Night.
Where does the Knight surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Knight coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Knight crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Knight coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.