Save Type Surname (from occupation & from nickname) Usage Germanic (?), English (?) Pronounced Pron. /knɪt/(Germanic) /nɪt/(English) [key·simplify] Other Forms FormsKnittel, Knett, Knudt Meaning & History Possibly derived from the Middle High German word knüt or knüttel, meaning "club" or "knot". Could also derive from English word knit which indicates a knitter. Could be an anglicized or simplified form of Knittel, Knett, or even Knudt.