Surname Sperling - Meaning and Origin

Unexpected Ancestry Unveiled: How a DNA Test Deepened My Understanding of My Sperling Lineage

Unlocking my family history through a DNA test at iGENEA has provided unexpected insights. I learnt that my ancestors, named Sperling, hail from Ashkenazi Jews and Norse Vikings origins, far from the German roots I had previously assumed. This transformed my self-understanding, enriching my sense of identity with these unexpected fragments of my family's complex past.

I. Sperling

Sperling: What does the surname Sperling mean?

The last name Sperling is of German origin. It was derived from the German word “sperling” which means “sparrow.” The name may have been given to a person with characteristics similar to that of a sparrow—such as quickness and agility. Alternatively, the name could have initially belonged to a family that kept sparrows or another type of bird.

The Sperling surname was most likely derived from a nickname, as many Germanic surnames were. It could have been bestowed upon someone known for their cheerful and lively nature, resourcefulness, or even their small stature. It could also have referred to a family who lived near a pond or river filled with sparrows.

The Sperling name spread during the Medieval period when people moved from their birthplace to take up occupations elsewhere or sought new homes in other parts of Europe. It is estimated that there are now over 23,000 people with the Sperling surname living mainly in Germany, Austria, and the United States.

In many regions, the Sperling surname can also be spelt “Sparling,” “Sparling,” “Sperl” or “Sparl.” Whatever the spelling, the surname takes its origin from the same word—the German word for sparrow—and is indicative of a certain sprightly character.

Sperling: Where does the name Sperling come from?

The last name Sperling is of German origin. It is most commonly found today in Germany and Austria. It can also be found in parts of Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the surrounding countries, as well as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

In Germany, the last name is relatively common, with over 10,000 people with the last name recorded in the national population register in 2017. In Austria, which is connected to Germany by both shared culture and language, the name is also common, with over 6,000 people in its population register.

In the United States, the last name is less common but still present. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, there are over 20,000 people with the last name Sperling living in the United States. The majority of this population is located along the East Coast, with the largest concentrations in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

In Canada, the last name is slightly less common than in the United States. It is estimated that there are just over 7,000 people with the last name Sperling living in Canada, with the largest concentrations of this population living in British Columbia and Ontario.

Finally, in Australia, the last name is far less common, with only around 2,000 people with the last name Sperling in the country. The largest concentrations of this population living in New South Wales and Victoria.

Variations of the surname Sperling

The surname Sperling is derived from the German word ‘sparling’, which means a small bird. The variations, spellings, and surnames of this name include:

- Sparling

- Spearing

- Sorling

- Spering

- Sperlinga

- Sperl

- Spieling

- Spilling

- Spillings

- Sperlinge

- Spierling

- Spiewak

- Spiegl

- Sporling

Surnames of similar origin include:

- Sparrow

- Sparre

- Sparrowhawk

- Starling

- Schwarm

- Starling

- Schwarzer

- Sporre

- Sporr

- Sternig

- Sparas

- Sparrer

- Scharm

- Sparregger

- Sperregård

- Sparrig

- Sparrows

- Swallows

- Singer

- Siglar

- Seagull

- Stork.

The spelling of the surname has also evolved over the centuries, from 'Spierling' in the Middle Ages, to 'Spieling' in the 17th and 18thcentury, to 'Sperling' today. This surname is found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries, as well as throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries where German immigrants settled.

Famous people with the name Sperling

• Gerhard Sperling: German writer and journalist
• Jeannie Sperling: American actress
• Julian Sperling: German musician
• Deborah Sperling: American neurobiologist
• Rachel Sperling: African American soprano
• Karl Sperling: German botanist
• Ari Sperling: Canadian politician
• Daniel Sperling: American transportation expert
• Donna Sperling: American film and television producer
• Matt Sperling: American professional Magic: The Gathering player
• Bette Sperling: American author
• Mark Sperling: American modernist composer
• Emily Sperling: American actress
• Wendy Sperling Maurer: American film and television director
• Jeremy Sperling: American lighting designer

Other surnames

SaadiSaalmannSaalmuellerSaalmüllerSaamanthaSaamerSaanthaSaarlandSaatciSaatkampSabadilSabadillSabanciSAbanorSabathielSabathilSabbaghSabelSabineSaboSabolSabolcecSabolekSabolovic