Surname Speir - Meaning and Origin
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Speir: What does the surname Speir mean?
The surname Speir is of ancient Scottish origin. There are diverse theories about its exact meaning and origin. Some researchers suggest that it is occupational, derived from the Middle English term "spere," meaning "spear." This could indicate that the ancestors of the Speir family were spear-makers, soldiers who used spears, or even competitive spearmen in medieval games.
Another possibility is that the surname is locational, originating from the place called Speyer in Germany. In this case, the surname would have been imparted to identify a person who hailed from that region.
Regardless of its exact origin, the Speir surname has a long and distinguished history in Scotland, particularly in the Ayrshire region. Knights, influential landowners, and prominent clergymen bearing this surname have played crucial roles in shaping the course of Scottish history. Despite its origins in Scotland, continued migration and diaspora have spread bearers of this surname around the world.
As with many surnames, the spelling of Speir has varied over numerous generations and among different branches of the family. Spier, Speer, Spiers, and Spears are all variations of the same original surname.
Order DNA origin analysisSpeir: Where does the name Speir come from?
The last name Speir is commonly seen in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In the United States, most of those with the Speir surname are concentrated in the South, notably in the Carolinas and Georgia. The U.S. Census of 2010 showed that out of the 5,550 people with the Speir surname, around 1,560 of them were living in North and South Carolina combined. In addition, the states of Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee each had at least 200 Speir's living there.
In the United Kingdom, Speir was seen in the most northern parts, mostly in Scotland, with nearly 1,500 people bearing this name. It was also found in greater concentration around London and Cardiff. The Speir name was also found in Ireland, but in much lesser numbers.
Overall, it appears that the Speir name has accompanied several waves of immigrants from the British Isles to the U.S. The majority of those with this name in the United States appear to be concentrated in the southeastern states. In the U.K., it still remains quite popular in Scotland, while also having a presence in the other countries of the British Isles.
Variations of the surname Speir
The surname Speir is most commonly a variant spelling of the Scottish name Spier or Spiers. It can also appear in records as Speers. All three surnames of have the same origin and share the same meaning, which involves either someone who lived near a spire or someone who was a ship-pilot.
The surname Spier is derived from the Middle English sper, which was used as an alternate spelling of the Scottish word spear. The word spear is derived from the Old English and Old Norse words spier which means a pole or a stock of metal.
In medieval times, a spire was an architectural feature, usually a tower or spire. A person who lived near or at a spire was known as a spier.
The other variant of the surname, Speirs, was derived from an occupation known as a ship-pilot. A ship-pilot was a person who was hired to guide boats or ships through difficult waters. This job required a high level of skill in navigation, a task which was typically done by experienced sailors as well as experienced navigators.
There are a few other possible origins for the surname Speir or Speirs. It is possible that the surname originated as a Jewish surname, because the root word spier translates to ‘check’ in Yiddish. It is also possible that the surname Speir is derived from a Native American place name.
In summary, the variants of the surname Speir are Spier, Speers, and Speirs. All three of these surnames share the same origin, meaning either someone who lived near a spire or a ship-pilot. There may also be other origins such as a Jewish surname or a Native American place name.
Famous people with the name Speir
- Evan Speir: an American actor.
- Saffron Speir: a British fashion model.
- Aaron Speir: an American singer.
- Tom Speir: a software engineer.
- James Speir: an American businessman.
- Neil Speir: a Welsh footballer.
- Iain Speirs: a Scottish composer, musician, and piper.
- Nikki Speir: an Australian TV producer.
- Bruce Speir: an Australian actor and producer.
- Samuel Speir: a Canadian hockey player.
- Arthur Speir: a Scottish rugby union player.
- Charles Speir: an Australian drama and music teacher.
- Blair Speir: an American actor and producer.
- Alan Speir: an English footballer.
- Mathew Speir: an American art director and illustrator.
- Chrysta Speir: an American photographer.
- Mary Speir: an American equestrian.
- Steven Speir: a Welsh illustrator and sculptor.
- Ally Speir: an American artist and educator.
- Marc Speir: an American actor and director.