Surname Speerin - Meaning and Origin
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Speerin: What does the surname Speerin mean?
The last name Speerin is an English surname with several unique interpretations. Traditionally, the name is derived from the Old English words spere and wyn, meaning ‘a spear of wine’. This likely referred to a maker or seller of spears, or a person who made their living from this trade. Alternatively, the figurative meaning of the name is said to be ‘one who launches with a spear’, or someone who deals in spears.
It is possible that the name is of Flemish origin and derived from spier, a term for ‘to spin’. This interpretation suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who was a spinner of wool and active in the trade of that particular industry.
Regardless of the exact meaning, Speerin is a unique surname. It could mean someone who makes a living from selling spears, someone who used spears for a particular trade, or someone who was engaged in the manufacture of wool. Whatever the meaning, it is an interesting name that has been around for many generations.
Order DNA origin analysisSpeerin: Where does the name Speerin come from?
The last name Speerin is most common in places with a large Dutch population, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, and parts of the United States. In the Netherlands, Speerin is classified as a descriptively-named family name, meaning it appears to have been derived from the occupation of an ancestor or from a characteristic or habit (in this case the habit of "speerin," which may refer to the use of a spear as a tool or weapon). In Belgium, it is both generally distributive (meaning it was established by an ancestor with a particular background or status) and used as an occupational name for someone who made spears or arrows.
In Canada, the last name Speerin makes up 0.02% of the population, and is mainly concentrated in Ontario and Manitoba. In the United States, it is most common in the Midwest, particularly in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as well as Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Beyond North America, Speerin is also widespread in some parts of Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and in the United Kingdom. It is also present in smaller numbers in East and Southeast Asia, parts of South Africa, and a few other countries.
Variations of the surname Speerin
The surname Speerin is of English origin and is an unusual one. It's Star Index of Frequency ranks it as very rare. It's spelling variants include Spearin, Spearin, and Speer.
Spearin is the most common variant of the surname, and is believed to be an occupational name for a boatman or boat builder. The surname likely derived from Old English or Old Norse terms for boats or ships.
The Speer variant is from the Dutch version of the surname, which is Speer, and can also be found in Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. It is generally believed to have originated as a nick name for great strength or that of a long spear, possibly referring to a soldier.
The spelling of the surname Speerin is also found in Scotland and may have originated from the Old English terms "Speren" or "Spere" meaning to "strike" or "split". Additionally, this Scottish surname is linked to the Lowland Speir/Speyers family who were lords of Latin-sounding names.
Finally, the Speerin surname may have been altered to the surnames Speers or Speerise. It is possible that the Speers spelling was taken on by families who wanted to sound more prestigious, while Speerise is more likely to have been used by families with German ancestry.
Famous people with the name Speerin
- Albert Speer: one of the most notorious and prominent figures of Nazi Germany. He was the Minister for Armaments and War Production until his arrest for war crimes in 1945.
- Paul Speer: actor and voice artist, best known for his roles in TV series such as Smallville and 24.
- Ralph Speerin: Australian cricketer who played for Victoria in the Victorian Premier Cricket Association.
- Ashley Speerin: organist, pianist and composer, best known for his composition “Wondrous Love.”
- Robert Speerin: Australian opera singer.
- Ken Speerin: Canadian ice hockey player. He played for the St. Michael's College Junior Hockey Team and is a member of the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame.
- George Speerin: American baseball player who played for the Cincinnati Reds.
- Keith Speerin: American football player. He played for the NFL's Baltimore Colts.
- Renee Speerin: British actress and singer. Her notable credits include the TV series Waterloo Road, Emmerdale, and Casualty.
- Dylan Speerin: Australian Voice Actor and Film Producer who won the Best Short Film award at the St Kilda Film Festival in 2015 for his film "The Time Keeper."