Surname speare - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
speare: What does the surname speare mean?
The last name Speare is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English "sper", meaning "spear". Often, it is associated with occupational names and could have been used to describe a person who made or used spears. Typically, in older times, medieval scribes and church officials spelled names phonetically, resulting in a wide variation of spelling. That's why the surname Speare can be found in early documents under different spellings, including Spear, Speare, Speares, and Speres, amongst others. Notable persons with this surname include Elizabeth George Speare, an award-winning American author known for her works of children's literature. The surname Speare is quite uncommon, thus, it doesn't have a heraldic symbol or coat of arms associated with it, unlike more common English surnames. It is crucial to note that this surname has no connection with the famous playwright William Shakespeare as the two names have different origins and meanings.
Order DNA origin analysisspeare: Where does the name speare come from?
The last name Speare is most commonly found in England and North America today. In England, it is believed to have been a surname that originated in the mid to late 1800s when it was common practice for a person to be given a surname that was either based on their occupation or ancestral home. Such a name could be derived from the Old English term for ‘spear’ and is believed to have been a nickname for someone who was a soldier or otherwise militarily connected.
In the United States, Speare is a surname that dates back to Colonial times when immigrants arrived from England and Ireland with the name. This particular English surname found its roots in many distinct areas across America, predominantly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Massachusetts, with some Speare families found in neighboring New Jersey and even into Maryland.
Today, Speare is still a relatively rare surname. Approximately 2,400 people in the United States bear the last name, making it the country’s 22, F455th most common. The majority of Speare’s reside in the northeast of the country, but the number who bear the unique English surname are small enough that some states do not report any Speare families living within their borders. In recent decades, the population with the surname Speare is on the rise. This suggests the name Speare is still likely to show up more in census records in the near future.
Variations of the surname speare
The surname Speare is widely recognized as derived from the Middle English word "spere", meaning a spear or hunting spear, reflecting its origin as a nickname for a warrior or hunter. Variants and alternate spellings of Speare include Spear, Speer, Speers, Speirs, Spiers, and Spyers.
Speare was originally a regional surname that was most common in Scotland, before becoming widespread through other parts of northern Britain, including the old North and West Riding of Yorkshire.
The earliest recorded spelling of the surname is from 1378, when it appears in a Latin document from the Registrum Magni Sigilli Scotiae as "Spere". The patronymic family of the spelling is regarded as a spelling variant of "Speyer" or "Spyer".
The spelling "Spear" is the most popular and recognizable pronunciation of the surname, and is the accurate spelling of the surname in English. Variations of this spelling include Speer, Spier, Spire, Spires, Speirs, and Speers.
Patronymic family names that derive from the pre-medieval spelling of Speare include Speppers or Speppare, Speerden or Spearde, Spereman or Spireman, Spiering or Speerling, Spearman or Speerman, Speers or Speirs, and Speyrman or Speermen.
Another spelling variation of Speare is Spytere or Spiter, derived from the Dutch and Flemish variant of the surname "Spitteren." This form was popularized by Dutch immigrants to the United States in the eighteenth century.
The form Speares is a fairly rare spelling variant of the name, and is recorded as being used in Irish versions of the surname, as is the form Spaire which is a form regularly used by Irish immigrants to the United States.
Other variants of the surname include Speerl, who comes from a corruption of "Speerling." This surname originates from Bavaria, and has become popular throughout the world. A similar variant is Spehrs, which is a common German spelling of the surname.
Famous people with the name speare
- William Shakespeare: Often referred to as England's national poet, William Shakespeare is arguably the most famous person with the last name 'Speare'. He wrote plays, sonnets and narrative poems that are still highly regarded and read by people all over the world today. His works have been adapted for screen, stage and radio for over 400 years, making him one of the most widely studied and recognized authors of all time.
- Andrew Speare: Andrew Speare is an Australian conservationist and has served as CEO of WWF Australia since January 2016. He has been a prominent advocate for conservation and environmental protection, and has been honoured with several awards for his contribution to the field.
- Ronald Speare: Ronald Speare was a marine biologist and fish physiologist whose contributions to the field spanned over seven decades. His research into the mechanisms of fish respiration and growth earned him critical acclaim and honourable mentions in various scientific journals.
- Emily Speare: Emily Speare is a Canadian visual artist who mainly focuses on photography and sculpture. She has had her work exhibited in galleries across North America, and has appeared in several art festivals in the US and Canada.
- Roger Speare: Roger Speare was an English professional footballer who played for Stoke City F.C. between 1949 and 1962. He was among the earliest players to move overseas and went on to manage teams in South Africa, Israel, and the United States throughout his career.