Surname Spealman - Meaning and Origin
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Spealman: What does the surname Spealman mean?
The last name Spealman is derived from an old French phrase, “espalemain,” which translates to “spearman,” or a soldier who wields a spear. The surname Spealman likely began to be used in England in the early 13th century, when Anglo-Norman settlers began to use French words that related to their military occupations.
Spealman is an occupational surname, which was originally used to indicate that a person was a military soldier or a professional spearman. This type of surname originated when a son took on the same profession as his father. The surname would then become a hereditary name, one that would be passed down from generation to generation.
The etymology of Spealman suggests that its original bearers were professional soldiers, likely among those in the army of William I - the “Conqueror.” William was a Norman who successfully invaded England in 1066, and he brought with him a number of French and Latin words, including “espalemain.”
The Spealman surname is found in many countries today, including the United States, Canada, UK, France, and Germany. In the United States, people with this surname are often descended from migrants who immigrated to the country from England in the 17th or 18th centuries. It is also likely that the Spealman surname arrived in the US through other early colonial settlers, as well as those who were brought over as a part of the indentured servant trade in the 16th century.
Today, the Spealman surname is used to identify those people who are descendants of an occupation that has long been forgotten. It is a testament to the hardworking and courageous people of England who first adopted the surname and passed it down, a reminder of the power and influence of William I.
Order DNA origin analysisSpealman: Where does the name Spealman come from?
The spelling of Spealman is not a common one, so it is often difficult to trace the geographical origins of this surname. However, it is thought that it has its roots in Austria, Germany and, to some extent, Lithuania. In modern times, the surname Spealman can be found predominantly in Austria, Germany, the United States and Canada.
Research suggests that the surname is more commonly found in Austria, where it was first recorded in the 12th century. According to historical records, the name Spealman was first used by members of a family who lived near the city of Graz and who were descended from a long line of warriors and farmers. Records also show that the Spealman family was of noble birth, having descended from several notable families, such as the Ettel, the Baldingers and the Reinhaards.
In the United States, records indicate that the surname Spealman can be traced as far back as the 1700s. In particular, the name can be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, North Carolina and Arizona. In Canada, the earliest record of the name was recorded in the 1800s, and is most commonly found in Ontario and British Columbia.
So, while the last name Spealman is not especially common in modern times, it can be found in several countries around the world, including Austria, Germany, the United States and Canada. The spelling of the name may vary across different countries, but its origin remains the same.
Variations of the surname Spealman
The Spealman surname has a variety of variants, as well as spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is derived from the Old English pre 7th century word ‘speal’, which means ‘spike or spear’, and the same origin as ‘spear’. Its variants include: Spalman, Speelman, Spealmance, Spelman, Speiling, Spaling, Spillman, Spilman, Spellman, Spelman, Spillmann, Spilmann etc.
The earliest recorded spelling of the Spealman surname is believed to be of Jacob Spillman, who was recorded in the London Church Records in 1563, whilst other records include Payman Spillman, who was christened in 17 Mar 1562 at Guiting Power in Gloucestershire.
Spealman is also listed with the various spellings and surnames of the same origin such as Spelling, Speirmans, Spellance, Spellman, Spelman, Spelmans, Spilman and Spillmann. In records dating from 1635, Johannes Spelling, a student, is recorded in the city of Amsterdam, as well as Hans Speermans recorded in Maryland, USA in 1705.
During May 2020, there were 2,558 people in the United States with the Spealman surname, as well as 197 people in the United Kingdom and 8 people in Canada. This surname remains quite rare worldwide and is mostly found in America.
Famous people with the name Spealman
- Danielle "Dani" Spealman: an American model, artist, and public figure.
- Larry Spealman: a former American football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL).
- Everett Spealman: a former defensive back with the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1953-1954.
- Will Spealman: an American backcountry skier specializing in alpine ski touring and competitive skiing.
- Sian Spealman: a former Silver and Bronze medal winner at the Special Olympics.
- Stacey Spealman: an artist and Creative Director of the LUXE Artist collective.
- Emma Spealman: a professional kiteboarder and snowboarder.
- Chris Spealman: a former professional golfer with numerous wins and accomplishments in the sport.
- Angela Spealman: a former volleyball player and a member of the Women's National Volleyball team.
- Molly Spealman: an American figure skater and former two-time U.S. Olympic figure skater.