Surname Speller - Meaning and Origin
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Speller: What does the surname Speller mean?
The last name Speller is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "spellian." It typically refers to an occupation or a craft. In this case, it means a 'storyteller' or 'reciter'. In medieval times, it was the duty of a 'speller' or 'spellier' to recite stories and tales during festivities or other occasions. These stories were either imaginative or from history, hence the individual had the essential duty to 'spell out' or clearly explain such events. Over time, this responsibility took the form of a designation and later evolved as a surname in Western culture. Similar to many last names denoting a profession, Speller reflects the prominent role ancestors had in the society they lived in and how surnames were crucially used to mark one's profession or aptitude.
Order DNA origin analysisSpeller: Where does the name Speller come from?
The last name Speller is not extremely common today. It has been found mostly in the United States and other parts of the English-speaking world, particularly England and Australia. There is also a noticeable presence in South Africa and a handful of other countries, but the highest concentrations are in the countries listed above.
In the United States, Speller is most common in Texas, where it ranks as the 476th most common surname out of a list of approximately 150,000. In England and Wales, it is more popular, ranking 208th out of a list of over 45,000 surnames.
The surname was most likely derived from an occupational name, as the word ‘spell’ comes from old English and means ‘to tell.’ Therefore, a Speller would have been someone who was an expert on charms and superstitions of the time. Likewise, the name could also refer to someone who could accurately recall and repeat information, such as a storyteller.
At present, Speller is still a relatively rare name. Nevertheless, its presence in many different countries, particularly among English-speaking people, suggests that Speller is an old and established last name that has stood the test of time.
Variations of the surname Speller
The surname Speller has several variants, spellings and surnames of a similar origin. Some common variants of the surname include Spellar, Spellman,spellmann, Sparkman, Spellings, Spellar, Spellaw, Spellay, Spaliring, Speckell, Splellman, and Speechley.
Spellar is an anglicised version of the Scoto-Norman name Spaldyr, which is a contraction of spal dearer ('dearer of the hall'). Spellman is derived from the Old Gaelic "spell" meaning 'harvest' and "man" meaning 'man' and is likely an occupational name for a grain harvester. Spellmann is a Germanized version of the surname, likely denoting Germanic ancestry.
Sparkman is an English variant derived from Old English "specer,” meaning 'spark' and “mann", meaning 'man'. It is likely an occupational name for someone who ignited fires. Spellings is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname 'O Spellane’, which means “one who descended from the Gaelic warrior ‘Speallan’”.
Spellaw is a Scottish variant derived from the Gaelic word “spealan”, meaning 'tent'. The surname likely referred to someone camping in a tent or pitching a tent. Spellay is a shortened version of spelling, obviously denoting the relation to the main surname.
Spaliring is a variant derived from Old German “spal” meaning ‘brace or ring.’ It is likely an occupational name that denoted a maker of jewelry, such as bracelets. Speckell is a variation of the one of the Speller variants, Speckling. It is also likely an occupational name for a fabric dyer or perhaps a nickname for someone of a grayish complexion.
Splellman is a variation of the surname spelled with a double ‘l’ and is likely a Germanic spelling. Lastly, Speechley is a English variant derived from Old English “sprecc” (meaning ' Trouble, dispute, discord ') combined with “leah” (meaning 'wood or clearing’) and refers to someone who created dispute in the wood or clearing.
Famous people with the name Speller
- Jordan Speller: Former NFL linebacker who played for the San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, and Arizona Cardinals from 1993-2002.
- Jana Speller: Actress and YouTuber known for her role in the horror movie Wolf of Wall Street.
- Tricia Speller: Author of children’s books, including When No One’s Around and Before I Was You.
- Earl Speller: Bahamas-based singer/songwriter who has released several hit singles.
- John Speller: American record producer and songwriter. He's worked with many popular artists, including Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj.
- Melody Speller: Canadian actor best known for her roles in the TV series Saving Hope and The L Word.
- Maria Speller: Former professional volleyball player who competed for Great Britain in the European Volleyball Championship.
- Richard Speller: Professional tennis player who achieved a career-high ranking of 35 in singles and 26 in doubles on the ATP Tour.
- John Speller Jr.: American professional golfer and businessman who won the PGA Championship in 1954.
- Porsche Speller: Actress, model, and singer known for her roles in films such as Street Kings 2 and Dangerous Citizens.