Surname Speire - Meaning and Origin

Speire: What does the surname Speire mean?

The surname Speire is of Irish origin and it's believed to have derived from the Gaelic "MacSpeirr" or "Speir" which means "sharp, pointed". This term was often used to describe a person who was quick or lively. It is speculated that this name may have also been used for people who worked as weavers or tanners, professions that would deal with sharp tools and objects. Variations of the name include Speir, Spier, and Spire. Like many surnames, its exact origins and meaning may have evolved or changed over time based on geographic location and family history. The greatest numbers of people with the Speire surname are found in the United States, followed by England and Canada.

Speire: Where does the name Speire come from?

The surname Speire is a relatively rare last name, typically found in regions claiming a significant Danish heritage. The surname Speire first appeared in Norway, Central Sweden or Denmark, likely derived from the Old Norse “Spyrja,” which translates to 'spire'. Most commonly, the last name is found in Norway, where it was a popular first name for those living in medieval and early modern times.

Today, the Speire surname is mostly found in Northern Europe. In Norway, this surname is especially popular in Oslo, whereas in Sweden, it is most prevalent in the region of Skåne. As of the 2000 census, the Speire surname was also reported in Finland, which has a significant Nordic population.

Outside of Northern Europe, the surname Speire is more rare; however, it does appear in the United States, having been brought over with Scandinavian immigrants in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This surname is most commonly found in North Dakota, especially in the region of Grand Forks, which previously had high levels of Norwegian settlement. The Speire surname also appears in other states with significant Scandinavian heritage, such as Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Variations of the surname Speire

Speire is a surname mostly found in the Western European region. The primary language of the Speire surname is Irish-Gaelic and German. The variants of the spelling of this surname in English include Speare, Speeres, Speirs, Spiers, Spear, Spires, Spears, and Spire. The original spelling of this surname is Irish-Gaelic, and due to emigration and diaspora, it has spread to many other countries and cultures, causing the spelling to vary.

In Irish-Gaelic, the variants of the surname Speire are Ó Speireagáin, Ua Speireagáin, or Mac Speireagáin, and Spress (also found in Scotland), Spiacobh, Spearcáin, or Spearicin, or Spearicain. In German, the spelling of Speire is usually spelled Speer or Speerl.

In some cases, the surname Speire has mutated over time and become Anglicized. Common variants of these mutated Speire surnames include Fitzsperres, Speers, Spires, or Fryer.

Additionally, many people with the surname Speire also have alternate surnames spelling such as Speyer, Spyyer, Spyres, Speirs, Speers, Spieres, Spriegel, Speeres, Spruill, Jarvis, Spirelli, Spirella, Spires, Sprints, and Pringle.

Despite the many variants of spelling, the core meaning of the surname Speire is “one who made or sold spears.” The surname has its roots in the Anglicized Gaelic cenél surnames which originate from Irish-Gaelic and were adopted by the Normans when they invaded Ireland.

Famous people with the name Speire

• Luka Spiers: Luka Spiers is a British Instagram Influencer, Life Coach and Social Activist from Wolfsburg, Germany. He is most well known for his work advocating for mental health issues, LGBT+ rights and fair immigration policies.
• George Spiers: George Spiers was a Scottish singer and songwriter whose career spanned more than 40 years. He released several solo albums and toured extensively in the United Kingdom and US.
• Thomas Spiers: Thomas Spiers was an American politician. He was a Congressman for Kentucky's 10th district from 1881 to 1885. He was also a member of the Populist Party.
• Sadie Spiers: Sadie Spiers was an American silent-era film actress who had a brief career in the early 1910s. She starred in a few movies directed by D.W. Griffiths and also worked in vaudeville.
• David Spiers: David Spiers is a British radio and television presenter. He currently works for BBC Radio Two as well as presenting the show “Mathematician’s Paradise”. He is also a prolific voiceover artist.
• Paul Spiers: Paul Spiers is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who has played in several European and North American leagues in his career. He is a two-time Calder Cup champion and is currently playing in the German DEL.
• Toby Spiers: Toby Spiers is an English actor who has starred in movies, television shows and theatre productions. He is best known for his roles in the TV series “Misfits” and “The Musketeers”.
• Sheila Spiers: Sheila Spiers is an Australian artist, best known for her abstract paintings. She has held solo and group exhibitions throughout Australia, and her work can be found in the National Gallery of Victoria.
• Lilian Spiers: Lilian Spiers was a British suffragette who gained notoriety for her activism throughout England. She was one of the main organizers of the hunger strikes and window-breaking campaigns in the early 1910s.

Other surnames

SpeirSpeiranSpeirin