Surname Spead - Meaning and Origin
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Spead: What does the surname Spead mean?
The last name Spead is a rare English surname that is believed to have originated in the early medieval period. It is thought to have been derived from the Old English word “speedd,” which was a nickname for someone who was eager or prompt. The name could have been used to denote someone who was mercurial or excitable. It could also have been used to describe someone as fast or speedy.
Spead is one of those rare surnames that you don't hear much about these days. Information about its early history is particularly scarce, but records show that the name is much older than one would expect. From what we know, the Spead family appeared in Britain in the 1200s, when they settled in various parts of England. Throughout the Middle Ages, the family was prominent enough to be recorded in many written records.
By the 1700s, the Spead family had spread out across Britain and had taken up lives as craftsmen, merchants, farmers, and seamen. They seem to have been a hard-working, industrious people, but few records about them remain.
Today, the Spead surname is still found in pockets of Britain and a few families with the name can be found in America and other parts of the world. Considering its obscurity and the small numbers of Speads around the world, it’s quite possible that it will die out in its ancestral homeland in the coming years.
Order DNA origin analysisSpead: Where does the name Spead come from?
The surname Spead is believed to be of Anglo-Norman origin. It was likely brought to England by the Normans in the 11th century. It remains a relatively rare surname, but it is found in both Great Britain and the United States.
In Great Britain, Spead is commonly found in England and Wales, where it is largely centered in the south and southwest. It is associated with the counties of Gloucestershire, Hampshire, and Somerset. Scotland also records a small presence of the surname.
In the United States, Spead is most numerous in the East. It is more concentrated in the Northeast region, particularly in Maine and Massachusetts. It has also been found in significant numbers in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
Outside of these two regions, Spead can be found in smaller numbers in Australia, Canada, and South Africa. It is also prevalent in countries in South America with large populations of people of British ancestry.
Overall, the surname Spead is still relatively uncommon, but its presence has grown worldwide since the 11th century. It can be found in many countries in a variety of geographical locations, ultimately having its origin in anglo-norman England.
Variations of the surname Spead
The surname Spead is primarily of English origin and is an uncommon name. Variants of Spead are Sped, Speadt and Spedd. These variants are most often used to trace the ancestry of certain families in England; however, the surname may be traced to other regions and countries as well.
Various spellings of Spead can be found in records. These spellings include Spead, Sped, Speed, Speid, Spide, Speidt, Spiedt, Speedd, Speat, Spied and Spede. These variations were commonly used in different eras, when spelling and the recording of names were not always consistent.
Surnames of similar origin to Spead include the English names Spencer, Speed, Spicer, Speck, Spears, Spicer and Speight. Surnames of similar origin to Spead can also be found in other countries; for instance in Scotand, Spead is sometimes spelled Speid. Similarly, Spead is also believed to be of partial Irish descent, where it can be spelled Spied.
In conclusion, the surname Spead has multiple variants and spellings and is related to other surnames found all across the U.K. and other nations of Europe. As the surname is quite uncommon, it may be useful to consult local registers and public records to trace further information about families who adopted this surname.
Famous people with the name Spead
- Don Spead: former American football safety and linebacker for the Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers.
- Jack Spead: college basketball and golf coach, as well as an assistant basketball coach at the University of Notre Dame.
- George Spead: Canadian history professor at the University of Waterloo, specializing in Latin America.
- John Spead: former NFL player who played in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Matthew Spead: British actor, known for his role in the television series Rome.
- David Spead: American best-selling Christian author, known for works such as The Day Jesus Died.
- Tom Spead: former ice hockey goaltender who played for the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.
- Elmer Spead: former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians.
- Robert Spead: American retired Navy captain and business entrepreneur.
- Dr. Charles Spead: renowned cardiovascular surgeon who developed several heart-related treatments.