Surname Speelman - Meaning and Origin
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Speelman: What does the surname Speelman mean?
The surname Speelman is of Dutch origin, derived from the Dutch word 'spelen', which translates to 'play'. In Dutch culture, this surname was likely used to refer to 'players' or 'entertainers', specifically, those who performed on stage such as musicians, comedians, and actors. Additionally, this surname also likely referred to those who were involved in the toy-making industry.
Historically, the Speelman surname could be found mostly in the region of The Netherlands and German-speaking countries. Records of the family living in the Netherlands date back to as early as 1266, where a Cornelius Speelman was mentioned in the records of the village of Zierikzee, Zeeland. This Cornelius Speelman was a shoemaker, which may have been an occupation that the Speelman family was well known for.
In the United States, the Speelman surname is most common in New York. Records indicate that the first Speelman to immigrate to the US was Willem Speelman, who arrived in Lancaster County, PA in 1729.
Overall, the Speelman surname was likely associated with players, entertainers, and toy makers in its origin, as well as shoemakers. Today, it is both found in Europe, as well as the United States, most commonly in New York.
Order DNA origin analysisSpeelman: Where does the name Speelman come from?
The surname Speelman is most commonly found in the Netherlands, particularly the northern and western regions. It is believed that the name is primarily of Dutch origin, derived from an occupational surname for a cavalryman or horse-rider.
The Netherlands has a long history with the military use of horses, especially during the time of the Dutch Revolt in the late sixteenth century. This may explain why the surname is relatively common in the country today.
Speelman has also spread to the United States in the last few centuries, where it is most commonly found in the midwestern and mid-Atlantic states. This could be due to the large influx of Dutch immigrants who moved to the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Although it is difficult to track the exact number of people in the world who share this surname, it is estimated that there are several thousand individuals who have the last name Speelman today. This suggests that the name is still fairly common; however, its prevalence may have slightly declined since the early twentieth century.
Variations of the surname Speelman
The surname Speelman is associated with a Dutch origin and can be spelt in a variety of ways. Spellman, Speileman, Spileman, Spieleman, Speeleman and Speelman are some of the variants and expressions of the same origin.
Spellman is an English variant which has an Old English spelling. The other versions followed the Dutchness of the surname by changing the sound of the middle syllables, indicated by the multiple 'e' spellings, and the 'i' and 'u' spelling variants chosen to reflect the distinctive vowel sounds of the Dutch language.
The spelling of surnames during the same period often changed to reflect the dialects spoken locally, so Speelman could have spelt itself differently in each region it was used. This has resulted in other spellings such as Spilleman, Spillman, Spillelman, Spellmann, Spanneman, Spaneman, and Spellmon.
The surnames are also associated with other European countries, so the spelling of the name may have reflected the language of each country. Variants such as Spielmann (German), Spämen (Swiss-German), Speelman (Scandinavian) and Speelman (Flemish) can be found.
Many of the same surnames also have related surnames. These include Spillman, Sprouse, Speelman, Spillman, Spirus, and Spillmann.
Given the spread of the name Speelman and its many different spellings, it is not surprising to find a wide variety of surnames related to it.
Famous people with the name Speelman
- Stephen Speelman: American professor of physics and psychology at the University of California, San Diego
- Yoshiko Speelman: Japanese singer and composer
- Bill Speelman: American sportswriter and ESPN commentator
- Kenneth Speelman: Civil War Ironclad Sailor
- Sonja Speelman: Dutch political activist for the Animal Welfare Party
- Ted Speelman: Professional chess grandmaster
- Daan Speelman: Dutch singer for the band Inverse
- Michael Speelman: American Academy Award-winning director
- Clyde Speelman: American radio and television sportscaster
- Tammy Speelman: American actress, model and musician