Surname Spannan - Meaning and Origin
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Spannan: What does the surname Spannan mean?
The last name Spannan is of Irish origin and is an anglicized form of the Irish surname O’Sponnain. The name is derived from the Gaelic personal name ‘O'Sponnan’, which means ‘son of little spoon’. The name appears to have originated as a nickname for a person who was noted for some peculiarity in their manner or appearance.
The Spannan surname can be found in the counties of Kilkenny and Offaly, primarily in the south-east of Ireland and is one of the oldest Irish surnames. The name is probably derived from the area known as Tullamore, which means ‘Span of the chiefs’.
Today, there are still many members of the Spannan family living in Ireland, with the name having spread to other parts of the world as well. Those bearing the last name tend to be highly educated and professional, with many having accomplished careers in banking, business, and politics.
The Spannan surname carries a rich history, and those bearing the name are proud of their heritage. The name is associated with a hard-working and determined family, with a strong sense of loyalty and determination. It is a name that is highly regarded in Irish society and has earned much respect.
Order DNA origin analysisSpannan: Where does the name Spannan come from?
The surname Spannan is most common in Germany and is of German origin. This surname is derived from the personal name "spanne," which was derived from the Old German word "span," meaning "pole" or "beam" and "mann," meaning "man." The original bearer of the surname was likely a woodworker, someone who made or worked with poles or beams.
The surname Spannan can also be found scattered throughout Europe, particularly in Austria, Switzerland, and Latvia. While the name is not especially common in the United States, there are a few families with this surname living in California, Texas, New York, and the Midwest.
Spannan can also be found with some frequency in the British Isles. It is most common in Scotland where it can be found in the south, near Glasgow and Edinburgh. In England, the name is found mainly in Yorkshire.
Today, the surname Spannan has even spread to Australia, where it can be found, particularly in Melbourne. It is also found in New Zealand, where families with this surname are concentrated mainly in the Wellington region.
In general, the surname Spannan is not especially common anywhere, but may be more present (or at least more noticeable) in the countries and regions listed above.
Variations of the surname Spannan
The surname Spannan is a derivative of the Jewish-Germanic surname Spanier. Other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Spanyl, Spanyer, Spanyol, Spanrohr, Span, Spaner, Spanner, Spannemann, Spanholtz, Spanski, Spohnholz, Spohnholtz, and Spaniard.
Surnames with similar spellings and origins are often used as variants of the same surname, and can stem from common origin stories. In this case, the surname Spannan most likely originated in Germany, and was used to signify either a traveler or resident of Spain. The introduction of a specific spelling could also signify which region in Germany the family hailed from.
Other variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin may also have been formed by regional pronunciation differences. For example, the surname Spanrohr may be a German interpretation of the original Spanish surname Spannan. Similarly, Spannemann could be a variation used to differentiate from other Spannans in the same region.
As immigration patterns evolved, families spread throughout different countries, and their surnames evolved with them. Some variants of the surname Spannan may exist in France, most likely stemming from German Jewish immigrants who had settled in the region.
Hebrew spellings of the surname are also possible, as Jewish heritage is associated with the surname. In this case, the surname could be spelled as ספניאר, or ספננאר.
Famous people with the name Spannan
- Anna Span: an English pornographic actress, model and television presenter
- Contessa Spannan: a singer-songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio
- Steve Spanarkel: an American basketball player and former college coach
- Bobby Spanan: a former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Helmut Spannan: a German politician and former First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
- Murat Spannan: a Turkish footballer
- Bernd Spannan: a German sports shooter
- Erwin Spannan: a German footballer
- Dan Spannan: a former American football player
- John Spannan: an American artist and former gallery director