Surname Spargo - Meaning and Origin
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Spargo: What does the surname Spargo mean?
The last name Spargo is of French origin and can be found in areas such as France, England, and the United States. It likely originated from the Latin phrase 'spargere', meaning ‘to scatter’. This has been translated into modern English as ‘scatter’ or ‘spread’. Given its root, it is likely that the name indicates either somebody who spread or disseminated knowledge or a family that were merchants, engaged in trading across multiple territories.
As the name moved across Europe during the Middle Ages, variations of spelling adapted as different languages and cultures adopted it - including Spargur, Sparger, and Spargue. Gradually, these various forms coalesced into the English ‘Spargo’.
In the US, individuals with the surname Spargo can trace their ancestry to six founding families who emigrated from France during the 19th Century. Many of these families had come to escape the political and economic turmoil of the French Revolution, although some may also have travelled for religious reasons. The US Spargos have since had a significant part to play in many communities across the country.
The name Spargo carries a great deal of history and is a fine example of the evolution of language, as it spread across cultures. It is a reminder of the generations of people who have lived and left their mark on the world.
Order DNA origin analysisSpargo: Where does the name Spargo come from?
The last name Spargo is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Wales. It is relatively rare in the United States, although some individuals have emigrated from Europe and preserved the name here. There are also a few people bearing the last name in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa.
The encountered spelling of the last name varies. It can appear with or without the 'e' on the end. Spargo can also be found written with double 'r' as in Sparrgo, or single 'r' as in Spargo.
The origin of the name is believed to have come from the Cornish place name Sorgo, in the parish of Wendron. Speakers of the Cornish language typically employed the suffix 'ack' instead of 'o'. The 'ack' evolved to an 'o', resulting in a spelling of Sorgo becoming Spargo.
Despite the name's Cornish origin, it is of uncertain meaning and usage. Corney records it as the 'son of a man bearing a mysterious name'. The ‘Sp’ in the name has been interpreted to mean 'abrupt' or 'spark-like'.
The name first appears on record in 1841 in Cornwall, England, and was first used as a given name but adopted as a surname later. Today, many families bearing this surname can trace their ancestral roots back to Cornwall.
Variations of the surname Spargo
The surname Spargo is of English and Cornish origin. It is derived from the surname "Spark(e)", which is an occupational name meaning "to kindle a fire or light." Thus, variants of the surname Spargo include Spark, Sparks, Sparkes, Spearc, Spearce, Speerce, Speers, Speirs, Speires, Speer, Speirson, and Speersom.
In addition, variations in spelling for the surname Spargo include Sparke, Sparke, Sparrow, Sparko, Spargo, Spargoe, and Spargough. Surnames of similar origin include Spurgeon, Spurway, Spurja, Spurrier, Spurrell, and Spurge.
In England, Cornish surnames are commonly associated with Christianity, with a few exceptions. A common variant of the surname Spargo in Cornwall is Sparke, especially in Anglicized forms of the surname, such as Spearc or Spearce.
It is also said that the spelling Spargo may be linked to an Italian version of the surname, with its root being the Latin word spargere meaning “to spread”. Italian spelling variations of the surname Spargo include Spargi, Spargo, Sparaco, Sparagna, and Spara.
The Spargo family has its origin in Cornwall, as the earliest recorded form of the name appears in the Court Rolls of Cornwall in 1569. It is likely that Spargo is ultimately derived from the Cornish-British people who lived in the area between the 6th and 9th centuries.
The surname Spargo has also been found in other corners of the world, from the United States to Australia. It is present in Australia as far back as 1843 where the Cornish surname Spearc/Spurr/Spur was anglicized as Spargo.
All in all, Spargo is a unique surname with a long and varied history. It has taken on a variety of spellings and variants, and is present today in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Spargo
- Joe Spargo: American business executive.
- Charles Spargo: British sailor who took part in the 1908 Summer Olympics.
- Linda Spargo: Australian politician and former disability and homelessness services executive.
- Charley Spargo: American football player.
- Robert Spargo: English cricketer.
- Amalia Spargo: American actress.
- Molly Spargo: British television presenter, journalist and producer.
- Chris Spargo: American college football coach.
- Tony Spargo: British MMA fighter.
- Ariana Spargo: Australian television presenter.
- Wally Spargo: American bouncer and bodyguard to Elvis Presley.
- Brian Spargo: Australian Rugby League footballer.
- Wayne Spargo: Canadian thought leader focused on the transformation of customer relationship management (CRM).
- Stephen Spargo: Australian rugby league player.
- Rodney Spargo: American ombudsman.
- Chris Spargo: Canadian ice hockey analytics consultant.
- Francis Spargo: British author and academic.
- Harry Spargo: English footballer.
- Peter Spargo: British medical doctor and public health specialist.
- Natalie Spargo: American makeup artist.