Surname Speer - Meaning and Origin
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A Charming Soiree into Ancestry: My iGENEA DNA Test Experience and the Enlightening Revelations about the Surname Speer
The iGENEA DNA test serves as a gateway to the world of one's lineage, revealing insightful ancestral connections. The test led me on an emotionally charged journey that left me with a deeper respect and understanding of my family and the significant history hidden in my surname, Speer.
X. Speer
read moreSpeer: What does the surname Speer mean?
The surname Speer is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "sper", which means "spear". It originated as an occupational name for a maker or user of spears, or possibly as a nickname for a thin, tall person, similar to a spear. The name Speer could also be a toponymic name referring to someone who lived near a pointed feature in the landscape, such as a tall tree or mountain. The use of occupational or descriptive surnames was common in medieval Europe, as a means to distinguish between individuals with the same first name. The name Speer is widespread across Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, and it is also found among Ashkenazi Jews. Variations of the name Speer can include Speers, Sper, Spermann, and Sperl.
Order DNA origin analysisSpeer: Where does the name Speer come from?
The last name Speer is primarily found in Germany today; the German Speer family is most likely descended from a Middle Low German dialectical form of the name Spar. Records of the family have been traced as far back as the 1500s, when they first appeared in Pomerania, Saxony, and Prussia. According to Houseofnames.com, the name is found primarily in Bavaria, but also in the states of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt, and Berlin. The Speer family holds several coats of arms, including one from the house of Commerce and Funding, representing their prominent financial status in Bavaria.
The Speer family has spread through Europe and beyond over the centuries, and in modern times, may also be found in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Most likely, the Speer name in these countries is the result of emigration from German states. For instance, the Christian Speer family emigrated to Wisconsin, USA, in the 1850s and the Christoph Speer family arrived in Ontario, Canada, in 1871.
The Speer family has greatly influenced Germany, and beyond. Famous Speer members range from an illustrious family of civil servants and merchants, to some of the most famous architects and propagandists of the 20th century, notably Albert Speer, the Minister of Armaments for Nazi Germany.
Variations of the surname Speer
The surname Speer has many variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is traditionally a German or Dutch name, derived from the Old German ‘Speh’ or ‘Speher’ meaning ‘spearman’. It is also likely to be a habitational name from Speyer in Germany, or a toponymic name describing someone who originated from Speyer. The most common variations of the name include Speer, Spehr, Speer, Spehre, Spehrie, Spehro, Spahri, Spahr, and Spahro.
Additionally, some other surnames that may be related to Speer are Speyer, Speier, Speir, Speirs, Spyer, Spyer, Spyro, Speierman. These names are typically derived from the same Old German root, or from Speyer, although some may be variants of other surnames.
Overall, Speer is a relatively common surname, shared by many people across Europe and America. It has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, all of which are related to a common root of ‘spearman’.
Famous people with the name Speer
- Albert Speer: One of the most famous people with the last name Speer is Albert Speer (1905: 1981). He was a German government minister and, as Adolf Hitler's chief architect, developed plans to reorganize the city of Berlin according to Nazi principles. He also served as Minister of Armaments and War Production during World War II.
- Tony Speer: Tony Speer is an American musician best known for being the lead guitarist for the indie rock band Built to Spill. He has toured with a variety of G. Love & Special Sauce and Dave Matthews Band.
- Heidi Speer: Heidi Speer is a former competitive figure skater from the United States. She was the 1998 U.S. Junior champion and the 1998 World Junior bronze medalist.
- Fritz Speer: Fritz Speer was a German engineer who held the Nazi rank of Obergruppenführer and was awarded the Golden Party Badge after 1945. He was a senior engineer in the Cultural Heritage Office and was responsible for the restoration of castles, palaces, and other important historic sites and monuments in Nazi Germany.
- Carl Speer: Carl Speer was a German American songwriter and musician from Chicago. He wrote the song “When You and I Were Young Maggie” in 1867, and was known to have written many other popular Civil War songs.