Surname Speke - Meaning and Origin

Speke: What does the surname Speke mean?

The surname Speke is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is considered to be a "locational" surname. This type of surname was given to a person after the name of the place they were associated with or resided in. The name Speke is derived from 'spec', an Old English term meaning 'brushwood' or 'undergrowth'. It is associated with places named Speke or Speak, such as a township in the parish of Childwall, near Liverpool, England. The origin of such names could also have been from early medieval English or perhaps Olde French, most likely introduced by the Normans after the 1066 Invasion, with "espic" meaning "sharp point", probably referring to a specific, recognizable landscape feature. It is also the surname of John Hanning Speke, an English explorer who is most associated with the discovery of the source of the Nile River. The interpretation of the surname may, therefore, vary based on geographical regions and historical contexts.

Speke: Where does the name Speke come from?

The last name Speke is most commonly found in England, particularly in the counties of Cheshire, Notts, East Yorkshire, and West Midlands. Additionally, it is quite common in the Lancashire towns of Blackburn and Preston. Speke is also common in Australia and New Zealand, and historically relevant in various parts of Europe, particularly Germany and Sweden.

The Speke surname was originally derived from a place name in Cheshire, England, where the family first originated. The name is believed to be a blend of the Old English word spic (‘spike’) and the Old French word espece (‘species’). It may also have a meaning related to the words ‘spear’ or ‘wetland’, depending on the translation.

The Speke lineage is now quite widespread, with many members living in both rural and urban areas. However, some rural locations still contain many of the family’s founding ancestors. An example of this is at the village of Wray near Lancaster in Lancashire, which was historically home to the renowned Speke family.

Across England various records and memorials honour the Speke family name, even in locations they no longer inhabit. One example is the memorial to Rear-Admiral Lionel Daniel Galwey Speke, which is located in Colyton Church in Devon. Furthermore, locals in Lancashire still refer to the area between Preston and Garstang as “Spekeland”.

Despite being scattered across the globe, the Speke genealogy is still traceable and offers insight into a family with a long and storied history.

Variations of the surname Speke

Speke is a surname from England, derived from the Old Norse word "spikr", meaning "mountain peak" or "pointed hill". It is found predominantly in the North West region of England. Common variants of the name include Speek, Spick, Spickes, Speaks, and Speks.

The majority of Speke families can trace their roots to Cheshire, Lancashire, and Yorkshire. The variant Spik is predominant in Scotland and the variant Speks is more common in southern England. Speke is believed to be a Jenning-type surname, derived from an Anglo-Norman personal name. Other variations of the Speke surname which are linked with the Speke family of Cheshire include Spick, Speck, and Speckes.

There are several notable people with the Speke surname, including 19th-century explorers John Hanning Speke and James Augustus Grant, who were the first Europeans to reach the source of the Nile River.

Other famous bearers of the Speke surname include James Brindley Speke, Hugh Windham Richard Speke, and Sue Speke, who is a British TV presenter.

The Speke surname can also be found in some parts of the United States, especially in areas with large numbers of English immigrants. In some cases, the name has been Americanized to either Speaks or Spikes.

Famous people with the name Speke

• John Hanning Speke (1827–1864): He was an English explorer and officer in the British Indian Army. He is most famous for being the first European to visit the source of the Nile.
• Jini Dellaccio (1917–2014): Born Genevieve Speke, she was a pioneering photographer, known for her innovative style. She captured some of the most iconic image of musician, including early shots of The Beatles and Rolling Stones.
• Tom Speke (1597–1628): He was an English Elizabethan actor and was a member of the King's Men, the company set up for William Shakespeare.
• Frances Anne Franz Speke (1794–1876): A British-born American writer, translator and woman of letters who became well-known for her interest in literature and her use of indirect sources.
• Judith Speke (c.1570–1645): She was an English gentlewoman who wrote translations, primarily religious works, for a large audience.
• Robert Speke (d. 1630): He was an Elizabethan actor, playing the parts to the other members of the King's Men in performances.
• Joe Speke (1880–1960): An English cricketer who played in 21 matches for Surrey County Cricket Club.
• Guy Speke (1858–1908): An English cricketer who played a single first-class match for Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
• Edward Speke (1820–1901): He was an English political economist and Liberal politician. He served as a Member of Parliament for the North West Wiltshire constituency from 1868 to 1886.
• John Speke (1755–1817): He was an English scholar, and was involved in the foundation of the semi-public society for the diffusion of useful knowledge in 1825.

Other surnames

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