Surname Spaldas - Meaning and Origin

Spaldas: What does the surname Spaldas mean?

The last name Spaldas is a patronymic surname of Danish or North German origin. The surname is derived from the forename Spald, which is a medieval diminutive of the name Espal, which is an Old West Norse name, meaning ‘sword’. The suffix ‘-as’ was added to the forename denoting ‘descendant of.’ Hence, Spaldas means ‘descendant of Spald.’

This name was not widely used outside of Northern Germany or Denmark, but only in certain families. The earliest records of this name have been found in the 16th century, in the town of Flensburg, North Germany. It is believed that this particular family were descendants of a noble knight, or some other influential individual.

Over the centuries, the name has spread to other parts of Europe, such as Latvia, Russia and Lithuania. It is a fairly uncommon name today, but is still used by certain families.

The name Spaldas represents a connection to a distant and noble past, and provides an insight into the history of a family. The name will vary depending on the country that it is used in, as variations of the name’s spelling can exist. This unique name has become part of a family’s history and legacy, and will always be remembered.

Spaldas: Where does the name Spaldas come from?

The last name Spaldas is most commonly found in Central and Northern Europe, as well as in parts of Russia and the Caucasus region. Specifically, Spaldas can be found in places such as Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. It is also a common surname in former Soviet countries like Lithuania, Latvia, and Armenia.

The name is believed to originate from a Slavic language, since it is derived from the word ‘spalda,’ which means ‘wooden fork.’ This is a common farming tool and was likely used as a nickname for someone who worked as a farmer. It eventually became a surname and passed on through generations.

Since the name is so widespread, it is impossible to pinpoint exactly what prompted the first documented cases of individuals bearing the surname. Nevertheless, it is clear to see that the name Spaldas springs from a long-standing European heritage and hints at a common past with many shared cultural elements.

Variations of the surname Spaldas

The surname Spaldas is derived from the Old English and Old Norse words ‘spald’ and ‘spala’ which mean ‘splinter’ and ‘spear’ respectively. This suggests that the surname originated from a profession or nickname for somebody who worked with wood or with a spear.

Spellings of the name Spaldas often appear with a ‘ph’, such as Spauldas, Spaulds, Spauld, Spaulde, or Spalles and other alternative variations also exist. Common surnames of the same origin include Spaulding, Spallinger, Spaulden, and Spall.

In old English records, the spelling of the name can range from Spaltis to Spawld and in Scottish records, from Spallis to Spal Valentine. The most common variants of the surname, however, are Spallding, Spalding and Spaulding.

The Spalding variations of the surname can be found in various parts of Europe throughout history. In England, the name appears in the Doomsday Book, a survey of England and Wales which was completed in 1086 and is the earliest surviving Census document. In Scotland, the name was recorded in documents from the mid 16th century, and can also be found in Dutch and German records during the 17th century.

Today, the Spalding name is still common throughout the countries of England, Scotland, Ireland, America, and Canada.

Overall, the surname Spaldas is derived from Old English and Old Norse words, most likely for somebody who worked with wood or with a spear. It has various spellings and variants in different countries, and its presence is still common today in many places.

Famous people with the name Spaldas

• Ruth Spalding: American Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
• Nikolaj Spaldas: Danish portrait painter of the Baroque period.
• Inga Spalding: Former American Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
• John Boyd Spalding: American actor known for his roles in films such as Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Dirty Dozen, and Magnum Force.
• Ann Farris Spaldas: American actress known for her roles in films such as Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen and The Great Gatsby.
• James Spalding: American diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 1960–1962.
• Andrew Spalding: American-born British businessman and the chairman of the Spalding Group.
• Christian Spalding: Swedish explorer, photographer, and magazine editor in the early 1900s.
• William Spalding: British naval officer and cartographer who was involved in several voyages of exploration in the Arctic and Pacific oceans.
• Finley Spalding: American politician, military leader, and lawyer, who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine.

Other surnames

Spalding