Knowles

Knowles is a surname of English origin and also the name of several places in English-speaking countries. As a surname, Knowles is typically toponymic, arising from locations named Knowles that historically described a place associated with a hillock or knoll, though usage varies by region. The name has been carried into various notable individuals and remains in common use in several communities.

Notable people bearing the surname include Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, born in 1981, an American singer and performer who rose to international fame as Beyoncé. Her sister Solange Knowles, born in 1986, is also a musician and artist. The American author John Knowles (1926–2001) is known for the novel A Separate Peace, widely studied in schools for its themes of adolescence and conflict.

Beyond people, Knowles appears as a place name in multiple locales, primarily within English-speaking countries. The term may also appear in organizational or corporate names, sometimes reflecting historical or regional ties to the name. As a cross-cutting term, Knowles thus functions in both genealogical and geographical contexts, as well as in contemporary brand or identity usage.