Surname Spanner - Meaning and Origin
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Spanner: What does the surname Spanner mean?
The last name Spanner is of German origin and means "spanner" or "wrench." It is a metonymic occupational name for a person who fashioned spanners, or wrenches, as a job. In the Middle Ages, metalworking was a skilled and highly valued craft, and one of its specialties was the crafting of spanners or wrenches. Those who crafted these tools came to be known by the name Spanner, and it eventually became an inherited family surname.
The name Spanner is derived from the Old High German word spannen, which refers to the spannen, or clamps, that were used to shape hot iron or steel. It subsequently became a metonymic occupational name for a smith employed in the manufacture of spanners and other tools. It was eventually adopted by other professions, such as those of a plumber or a machinist.
Spanner is also used as the surname of a professional gaming team, and is sometimes spelled as "Splanner." In its gaming context, the name implies a person with exceptional tactical skills and an ability to predict their opponent's moves and adjust their strategies accordingly.
Today, the Spanner surname is found mainly in English-speaking countries. It is a rare surname, and most people that bear the name can trace their family history back to Germany. The name is a reminder of the skilled craftsmanship of the medieval metalworkers who created the wrenches and spanners that still bear the Spanner name.
Order DNA origin analysisSpanner: Where does the name Spanner come from?
The last name Spanner is most commonly seen today in Europe, specifically in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is a relatively common surname; rankings of the most popular last names in these countries generally list Spanner in the top 50 to 100.
The origin of the family name is German and likely derives from the Middle High German word "spannen" meaning “to clamp, wedge, block, or bar.” It is a toponymic surname, indicating that the original bearers of the name may have hailed from a place named Spanner, though such a location is not known to exist today. It is more likely that people were either named after their occupation, such as a blacksmith who worked with wedges and blocks, or from other terms associated with the meaning of the word, such as "catch" or "lock."
Spanner is considered to be an occupational surname, and it may have been bestowed upon several different types of people, from a blacksmith making and hammering iron bars, to a carpenter working with wedges to fasten objects together. Today, the name is most likely worn by descendants of one or more of these trade workers.
Variations of the surname Spanner
The surname Spanner is a variant of the German surname Spannagel, and can be spelled several ways, such as Spangler, Spannagel, and Spanagel. It typically refers to a person who works with or as a metal-worker, specifically those who work with tools like wrenches and spanners. Some people may have shortened the name to simply Spann.
The surname Spannagel is derived from the Germanic words "span" and "pretty". Span means "to spin" and can refer to the fast-spinning of tools such as spanners found in a workshop. Pretty is often associated with skill, or the artful creation of objects. Therefore, the surname refers to someone who is skilled at working with metal components to create and repair objects, or who works with such tools as a trade.
Other variants of the surname Spanner include Spenner, Spanar, and Spanjer. These can, in turn, have alternate spellings such as Spenar, Spanar, and Spenjer. All of these names likely originated from the same Germanic root.
The name Spanner may also have been adopted as a nickname in some cases. Variations such as Spannen, Spanne, and Spannerr could have developed from the original word, showing that it was often used more for descriptive purposes than that of an actual surname.
Finally, in some cases the surname may be associated with the location where the Spannagel family originally lived. A regional variation of the name may have been adopted from a physical geographical location or a nearby landmark, such as the Spannerberg, a hill in the Eifel Mountains region.
Famous people with the name Spanner
- Marc Spanner: Professional skateboarder from the Netherlands.
- Larry Spanner: Jazz virtuoso bassist, composer, and arranger.
- Sal Spanner: Professional Bass fisherman from Australia.
- Mel Spanner: Professional golfer and PGA champion.
- Kirby Spanner: Former professional soccer player from England.
- Lorraine Spanner: Emmy award-winning cinematographer.
- Chris Spanner: Professional snowboarder from the United States.
- Mino Spanner: Professional BMX rider from the Netherlands.
- Kelly Spanner: Professional wakeboarder from the United States.
- Davina Spanner: Professional kickboxer from the United Kingdom.
- Lily Spanner: Olympic gold medalist and Paralympian swimmer from the United Kingdom.
- Mark Spanner: Hollywood stuntman and director.
- Vince Spanner: Professional Beach Volleyball player from the United States.
- Rich Spanner: Professional street skater from the United States.
- Cameron Spanner: Academy award-winning actor.
- Hird Spanner: Singer-songwriter from the United Kingdom.