Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Knolles 1500 Ipm

• Knoll 1534 YDvi

• Knowles 1588 WillY 1660 PREll 1709 WMB

• Knauellehirst 1185–1202 YChviii

• Knauewellehirst l.12 YDiv

• (le) Knawelker, Knawelrod 1286,1336 ib

• Knowallekere 1338 YDv

• Knawalrodhenge 1358 YDiv

Etymology

Knowles, Knolles 1500 Ipm, Knoll 1534 YD vi, Knowles 1588 WillY, 1660 PREll, 1709 WMB, appears to be a shortened form (influenced by OE  cnoll 'hillock') of Knauellehirst 1185–1202 YCh viii, Knauewellehirst l. 12 YD iv, (le ) Knawelker , Knawelrod 1286, 1336 ib, Knowallekere 1338 YD v, Knawalrodhenge 1358 YD iv, 'the youths' well' (doubtless one where they congregated), v. cnafa , wella . On the WMidl  -walle - spellings cf. Phonol. § 7, and for the other els. in the spellings v. hyrst 'wood', kjarr 'marsh', rod 1 'clearing', eng 'meadow'.