Surname Spannekrebs - Meaning and Origin
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Spannekrebs: What does the surname Spannekrebs mean?
The last name Spannekrebs is of German origin. It derives from the word 'krebs', which translates to 'crab'. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of those with the Spannekrebs surname were fisherman or crabbers, as these primary occupations governed much of the lifestyle of those living in German coastal towns and villages.
The surname may also have several alternate meanings in Germany, such as 'span of crabs' or 'span of crayfish', which were likely similar sources of income for the earliest members of the Spannekrebs family. Spannekrebs could therefore also be a reference to a craft, trade, or area of expertise.
In German heraldry, the Spannekrebs family is associated with a shield showing two crabs separated by a tree. This heraldic device is a nod to the family's connection to fisheries, as well as to water in general. It could serve as a message of perseverance; crabs are strong swimmers, and a tree is a symbol of strength and stability that can weather any storm. This could be interpreted as a reminder for the family to remain loyal and brave in the time of adversity.
Today, those named Spannekrebs can be found in many countries, with Germany still being home to most bearers of this surname. Whether they are descendants of medieval fishermen or more recent arrivals, those with the Spannekrebs name are tied to a proud family history Forbes.
Order DNA origin analysisSpannekrebs: Where does the name Spannekrebs come from?
The last name Spannekrebs is fairly uncommon, but can be found in villages and small cities predominantly across Germany and Eastern Europe. Records indicating the presence of the Spannekrebs surname date back as far as the 13th century and began to appear with more frequency in modern-day Thuringia in the 17th century.
The Spannekrebs name today is mostly associated with the Brandenburg and Sachsen-Anhalt regions of Germany and southeastern Poland, with a few variants of the name appearing in neighbouring countries, such as Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Denmark. It is believed that the Spannekrebs lineage originated in Eastern Europe and was later adopted by immigrants from Germany as they settled in the aforementioned nations.
Due to intermarriage and various migrations over the centuries, the Spannekrebs name has diversified, appearing in several different spellings and variant forms. Today, the Spannekrebs family name is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Sachsen-Anhalt. Outside of Germany, other countries may display smaller populations of this family name, including Denmark and the United Kingdom.
It is estimated that there are around 1,200 individuals living today who share the surname Spannekrebs, with the majority living in Germany and the remainder distributed around other parts of Europe. In recent years, several members of this extended family have moved abroad, to countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where the surname can still be found.
Variations of the surname Spannekrebs
Spannekrebs is a German surname and is believed to have originated either in central or southern Germany. The name is a combination of two words ‘Span’ which means ‘bridge’ and ‘Krebs’ which means ‘crab’. The combination is likely to refer to a family’s occupation of either bridge building or crabbing.
Variants of the name Spannekrebs include Spanngkebs, Spanngrebs, Spahnkerebs, Spankrebs, Spannagrebs and Spannkerebs.
The prefix ‘van’ is also common in Dutch spelling and gives rise to surnames like Vand Spannekrebs, Vanspannekrebs, Vanspannerkrebs, Vanspanckrebs and Vanspannelkrebs.
In Germany, alternative spellings of the name bear resemblance to the original variation such as Spannackrebs, Speunnkrebs and Sponnagrebs. Similarly, there are some variations in the spelling of the name in Austria and Switzerland; Spannkrebss, Spannckrebss and Spankrebss are some of the spellings that are used in these countries.
Surnames of the same origin and meaning can also be found among other languages such as French, Dutch and Italian; Spaninkubus, Spaninkubs and Spaninkubr are some of the variations used in these languages.
Overall, Spannekrebs is an uncommon surname and many of its variants are either obscure or have been extinct for centuries.
Famous people with the name Spannekrebs
- Philip Spannekrebs: Philip Spannekrebs is a Danish footballer, currently playing for Lyngby BK in the Danish Superliga. He is best known for his versatility in defensive roles, having played both as a center back and defensive midfielder.
- Michael Spannekrebs: Michael Spannekrebs is an American architect and professor at Stanford University who focuses on environmental design and sustainability. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Architecture firm award from the American Institute of Architects.
- Mads Spannekrebs: Mads Spannekrebs is a Danish tennis player. He was the champion of the Copenhagen Open for the singles division in 2011 and runner-up in 2012. He also reached the third round of the Australian Open in 2012 and the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in 2014.
- Erik Spannekrebs: Erik Spannekrebs is a Danish chef and restaurateur. He was the former head chef of Restaurant Paul in Copenhagen, which has been awarded with two Michelin Stars. He is the owner of two restaurants in the region, one in Kolding and one in Aarhus.
- Christian Spannekrebs: Christian Spannekrebs is a Danish actor, primarily known for his role as First Officer Rasmussen in the Danish TV series Borgen, but he has also had roles in various other Danish feature films and television series.