Surname Spannaus - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Spannaus: What does the surname Spannaus mean?
The last name Spannaus is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Spannau. Spannau was a popular Old High German personal name composed of two elements, "Span" meaning "staff" and "hau", which can be interpreted to mean either "heir" or "army". As such, it is likely that the name Spannaus was given to someone who was either an heir of a staff or a leader of an army.
The name has been found in various forms throughout Germany throughout the Middle Ages. Records from the late 13th century, for example, show a Spannaw, from Westphalia. During this time, the name was used to indicate someone who was a soldier or someone of leadership within the military, such as a captain or commander. The name could also have been adopted by someone who lived near a staff or could have been associated with its symbolism.
In modern times, the surname Spannaus is still somewhat common in Germany and the wider German-speaking countries, though it has also spread to other parts of the world. While it is usually spelt 'Spannaus', other variants of the name exist; for example, a variation of the name 'Spanner', or 'Spann'.
Order DNA origin analysisSpannaus: Where does the name Spannaus come from?
The last name Spannaus is found most commonly in Germany and around German-speaking areas in Europe. In Germany, there are over 3,000 people with this surname, spread across the whole country. It is also found in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
There is a long historical tradition associated with this last name. Documents from medieval German regions show that Spannaus was a surname used as early as the 12th century. In the 16th century, the Spannaus family had a number of influential members, including mayors, judges and wealthy landowners.
Outside of Europe, Spannaus is also present in the United States and Canada. According to the 2018 US Census, there are nearly 800 people in the US who have the last name Spannaus. Similarly, the Canadian census revealed that there are just over 2,000 Spannaus in Canada.
Despite the fact that the name is now relatively rare outside of Europe, the Spannaus family retains its presence across the world. It is evidence of the impact that this family has had over hundreds of years, remaining a legacy of its impact across many different countries.
Variations of the surname Spannaus
The surname Spannaus is derived from the town of Spannau in the eastern part of Germany. While the original spelling of Spannaus is most commonly encountered, there are a number of other variants, spellings, and surnames related to this origin.
Some variants of Spannau include Spannagel, Spannenberg, Spannenberger, Spanner, Spannreiter, Spannbaurer, and Spannemacher. Spellings such as Spannhaus, Spannhaupt, Spannhoven, and Spanninck may also be encountered.
Surnames derived from Spannau include Spehn, Spann, Spanner, Spannagel, Spannagh, Spannenberger, Spannhagen, Spannheimer, Spannhofer, and Spanner.
The shortened “Span” surname can also be found in the area, as can the Anglicized spelling Spehn. It is important to note that some of these variants may be encountered with other surnames due to changed names over time. For instance, the name Spannegger is derived from the German “Spanenberger,” which originated from Spannaus.
Therefore, if you are researching or tracing a family with the surname Spannaus, it is important to consider these other variants, spellings, and surnames in order to get a comprehensive picture of the family’s history.
Famous people with the name Spannaus
- Bob Spannaus: former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
- Roger Spannaus: former Attorney General of Minnesota
- Erwin Spannaus: former Minnesota Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Auditor
- Frank Spannaus: former criminal defense attorney
- Arthur Spannaus: former judge of the Hennepin County District Court
- Fritz Spannaus: former Hennepin County Board Member
- Ortwin Spannaus: former Mayor of Maplewood, Minnesota
- Janet Spannaus: professional photographer
- Hans Spannaus: chief legal officer of the German bank HypoVereinsbank
- Christina Spannaus: German business manager