Surname Spivey - Meaning and Origin
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A Journey into Ancestry: The Enlightening Experience of iGENEA DNA test and the Significance of Being a Spivey
The iGENEA DNA test proved to be an emotionally riveting journey towards self-discovery and lineage tracing for me. With the unraveling of my family name 'Spivey', the test has imparted a new-found respect and a deeper understanding for my ancestry, changing how I view my family and surname forever.
P. Spivey
read moreSpivey: What does the surname Spivey mean?
The surname Spivey is of English origin and derives from a medieval nickname for a finch, a type of small bird. It is believed to have been used often for individuals who were known for their cheerful and vivacious personality, much like the characteristics of a finch bird. The name is mainly found in Yorkshire and the northern parts of England. It signifies someone who is lively, spirited, and vivacious. Another interpretation suggests it may be a diminutive of the Old French word ‘Espir’ or ‘Spehi’, meaning 'sparrow'. The Anglo-Norman French word for sparrow is 'espervier', so the name could have potentially been used for falconers. The surname Spivey is not very common and people with this surname may trace their ancestry back to England.
Order DNA origin analysisSpivey: Where does the name Spivey come from?
The surname Spivey is a popular name today primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the name Spivey is especially popular in the southern states of Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Louisville, Kentucky, has a particularly large population of people with the surname Spivey.
In the United Kingdom, the name Spivey is most common in the Midlands and southern England. Particularly large populations are found in the counties of Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, and Wiltshire. In Scotland, there is acorresponding concentration of the name in the Midland Valley of central Scotland.
When researching the specific demographics of the name Spivey, it is interesting to notice that there is a relatively even population spread across both countries and within each state and county. This suggests that the Spivey name was spread through the American South by migration or was established early on among the early settlers. As for the UK, it is possible that the name has spread across the country and between the states over many generations.
The popularity of the surname Spivey today suggests that the name represents a long lineage tracing back to colonial times. With its prevalence on the east coast of the United States and in southern England, scholars might have a possible link to Irish or Scottish roots.
Variations of the surname Spivey
The surname Spivey has various spellings and variants. Some of the most common spellings include Spivy, Spyvey, Spevay, Spivay, and Spivie. These are all variations of the same name, sharing the same etymological origin.
The origin of the name Spivey is English and is derived from the Old English pre 7th Century word ‘spefic’, which means ‘sharp-pointed’. This is thought to have been a descriptive nickname for someone who was cunning and shrewd. Over time, the word evolved into the surname ‘Spivey’.
Variants of the Spivey surname are Spevay, Spyvey, Spivie, Spiveey, Spivy, Spivey, Spivay, and Spivey. Surnames derived from the same origin include Spevack, Spevock, Spevacek, Spyvack, Spevacek, Spevace, Spyvacek, Spivack, Spivace, and Spivacek.
The name Spivey has now extended to numerous countries around the world, with the most notable presence being the United States. The American family of the name Spivey traces its roots to colonial America in the early 1600s. The family migrated to the United States and eventually settled in North Carolina and Virginia, where they found success. Today, the Spivey surname is present in many regions including Texas, South Carolina, New York, Georgia, Tennessee, California, and Florida.
Famous people with the name Spivey
- Tayla Spivey, a Canadian-American actress
- Varner Spivey, an American former football player
- Laura Spivey, the lead singer of an American traditional country music band
- Jessie Spivey, an American folk artist
- Laura Spivey, a singer, songwriter, and musician from Arizona
- James Spivey, an American former middle-distance runner
- Spencer Spivey, an American actor
- Florida Spivey, the first black female tap dancer to perform in films
- Ch Greene Spivey, a prominent clergyman
- Arthur Spivey, an American football player who played in the National Football League