Surname Spar - Meaning and Origin
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Spar: What does the surname Spar mean?
The surname Spar is thought to be of German or Dutch origin and has two primary interpretations. The first interpretation is occupational, derived from the Middle High German term "sparre," meaning "rafter" or "beam", suggesting the original bearers were likely to have been makers of rafters or roof beams, or perhaps builders. The second interpretation is topographical, derived from the Middle Dutch term "sparre," referring to a type of fir tree. In this context, the surname may have been bestowed on someone who lived by a notable fir tree or in a pine forest. Variations of the surname Spar include Spaar, Spaarke, Sparke, Sparr, Sparer, and others. To get the accurate meaning, one must trace back to the specific geographical and historical context of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisSpar: Where does the name Spar come from?
The surname Spar is most commonly found in Europe today, particularly in Scandanavian countries. It is particularly popular in Norway, where records show it has been used since at least the 15th century. It is believed to have originated in the counties of Vestfold and Svitjod, of what is now the south-eastern region of Norway. The surname is thought to be a derivation of the Old Norse given name “Spär” or “Spari”, meaning “Spear”.
The Spar surname is also found in parts of Germany, with records suggesting settlements in the Rhineland-Palatinate region since the 16th century. It has spread to some other nearby countries, such as Switzerland, where it is quite common in some parts.
In more recent times, those with the Spar surname have travelled to other countries, particularly the United States. One of the first Spars to settle in America is believed to be Johannes Spar, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1762, and today there are many other Spars living throughout the United States.
Today, it is estimated that there are more than 10,000 people with the surname Spar living across the world.
Variations of the surname Spar
The surname Spar has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant is the spelling Speer, which is a German spelling of the name. This spelling can also be found in the U.S. with an Americanized spelling of Speers, Speir and Speares.
A variant of Speer is Spear, which is an English spelling of the word. Speer is a surname of Dutch origin and can also be found sometimes spelled with a double “e” as Spieers.
Another variant is Speier, which is a spelling used by German immigrants in the United States. This spelling can also be found as Speyer.
A rare variant of Spar is Spahr, which is found mostly in the U.S. and Canada. It is believed to be related to the name Speer, but is of unknown origin.
Finally, the surname can possibly be found spelled as Spare, Spiers, Spieler, Spyker and Spyre.
Overall, the surname Spar has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is heavily linked to the German surnames of Speer and Speier, as well as the English spelling of Spear. Rare variants are Spahr, Spare, Spiers, Spieler, Spyker, and Spyre.
Famous people with the name Spar
- Temi Spar: A Dutch-Israeli singer/songwriter based in Amsterdam.
- Jakob Spar: A Swedish athlete who won a gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics at 1500 m.
- Anna Spar: An American sports journalist and former anchor at Fox Sports Radio.
- Maggie Spar: An American Olympic rower who won a silver medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics at Double Sculls.
- Nathan Spar: An American YouTuber who produces beauty and lifestyle videos.
- Sean Spar: An American YouTuber who produces science-based videos in the area of human health and performance.
- Isak Spar: A Swedish soccer player who plays for IFK Göteborg in the Swedish Allsvenskan.
- Bendik Spar: A Norwegian ice hockey player who plays in the Swedish Allsvenskan for Timrå IK.
- Anders Spar: A Norwegian biologist and professor at the University of Oslo.
- Henrik Spar: A German actor and musician best known for his role as a scientist in the 2005 sci-fi movie The Island.