Surname Spejer - Meaning and Origin
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Spejer: What does the surname Spejer mean?
The last name Spejer is of Jewish origin and it has roots in German and Yiddish. It is believed to have derived from the Hebrew name 'asafe', meaning "ruler of the people". The earliest recorded form of the name is 'Spyerer', which appears as a surname in the 13th century in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. In modern times, the name Spejer is found mostly in German-speaking countries.
Spejer is a very uncommon name and research into its meaning and origin is limited. What little information is available suggests that the surname was used as an identification of Jewish people, often as a form of protection from persecution. It is thought that the surname was assumed by Jews who had left their homes to escape religious persecution or to settle in new lands.
Spejer can be translated directly from Hebrew into English as "judge," however, its meaning in this context remains unclear. Some sources state that Spejer was often used as a nickname for a judge or a law-enforcer. It is also possible that it was simply derived from the word 'spyer', meaning to watch or observe.
In modern times, Spejer is still quite rare and the meaning and origin continues to remain mysterious. It is likely that many of the current bearers of this name have adopted it as a result of marrying into a Jewish family or migrating from their original homeland.
Order DNA origin analysisSpejer: Where does the name Spejer come from?
The surname SPEJER is most commonly found in the Netherlands, in particular in the province of North-Holland. In 2020, the surname SPEJER was the 6533rd most common name in the Netherlands, with 633,106 people having it as their last name.
The Netherlands has a long history of immigration. In the 1960s and 70s, the country received a great number of workers migrating from Turkey, Morocco, and North Africa, which has all had an influence on Dutch families' genealogy.
In the United States, the SPEJER surname is found primarily in California, with individuals from the Netherlands having moved across the world to America over the last 200 years. However, it is relatively rare compared to other Dutch surnames.
Other countries with notable SPEJER populations include Argentina and Canada. In Argentina, the SPEJER family is of Dutch descent and can be traced back to the 19th century. In Canada, the surname is found most prominently in the province of British Columbia, which is home to the largest Dutch-Canadian population in the country.
Given the Dutch roots of the SPEJER surname, it is clear that it is most commonly found in the Netherlands and other countries with ties to Dutch immigration and emigration, especially the United States, Argentina, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Spejer
The surname Spejer is of Jewish origin. It is originally spelled Spiear or Speyer, and is found in many variations. The different spellings can vary according to the historical and cultural background of the family.
Some common variants include: Speier, Speyer, Speers, Spayer, Spire, Speierman, Speiermann, and Spyra.
In Yiddish, the name may be spelled Shpyer, Schpier, or Schpyer. It is also sometimes spelled Shpyru in a shortened version.
In Portuguese, the surname may be spelled Espier or Espiêr.
In Dutch, the surname may be spelled Speejer or Speijer.
In German, the surname may be spelled Speier, Spier, or Speira.
In Polish, Czech, and Slovak the name is spelled Spyr.
In Belarusian, the surname may be spelled Sypier or Spyrof.
In Russian, the surname may be spelled Spyerof, Spirof, or Spyer.
In Hebrew, the surname is usually spelled Sephor, Sepher, Sephard, or Sephrod.
In addition to the surnames above, Spejer is also a Jewish title that is commonly spelled Speyer. This title was historically used to refer to a Jewish rabbi or teacher of Jewish religious law.
Famous people with the name Spejer
- Patricia Spejer: professional salsa dancer and choreographer
- Fredrik Spejer: Swedish Olympic fencing competitor
- Anna Spejer: Swedish karateka and two-time medalist
- Niclas Spejer: German handball player
- Olaf Spejer: Danish squash player
- Jörgen Spejer: Swedish ice hockey player
- Pernilla Spejer: Swedish Olympic canoeist
- Vivian Spejer: American reality television personality and yoga instructor
- Peter Spejer: Danish speed skater
- Alan Spejer: Danish professional footballer