Knowles (surname)

Knowles () is an English surname of Old English origin. This is a locality name meaning 'at the knoll,' a hill or summit, derived from Old English word "cnolle" or Middle English "knol", meaning hilltop and thus describes a person who lived at such a place. It can also be an Anglicized version of the Irish name Ó Tnúthghail. It may refer to many people. Variants of this surname include Knollys, Knolles, Knoll, Knowle, Noll, Noel, and Nowell.