Surname Spells - Meaning and Origin
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Spells: What does the surname Spells mean?
The surname "Spells" is of English origin, although it’s not particularly common. The exact meaning of the surname is not clear. It's possible that it may be an occupational name relating to someone who worked as a spell maker or spell caster in medieval times, a role associated with alchemy, magic, or medicine. Alternatively, it may have been rooted from the Middle English word "spell", indicating a discourse or narration, in which case it could link to a storyteller or someone who recites tales or spells. It could also be a variant of the word "speld," meaning "splinter or thin piece of wood," and could be related to a craftsman who works with wood. Like many other surnames, original meanings can be connected to an occupation, description, or geographical locations. As with all surnames, the exact spreading and usage may have varied greatly, and derivations may have aligned differently for different families carrying the name. Genealogical research would be necessary to accurately trace the origins of the surname for a specific family lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisSpells: Where does the name Spells come from?
The last name Spells is a fairly common surname in English speaking countries today, particularly in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau,Spells is the 4,251st most common surname in North America with approximately 10,000 people registered as having the name.
Spells has generally English and Irish origins, naming the family for an ancestor who was born or lived in a place called "spells", which is derived from the Middle English word “spell” meaning a ‘dwelling-place or plot of land’. Alternatively, the name could be of German origin, as the word Spehl (chesnut) exists in German.
Spells is most common in the Southern states of the US, although also present throughout the rest of the country. In the World Names Profiler the name is listed in the top 10,000 of the most common surnames in the US, with most of its population located in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. Beyond the US, Spells is also present in England, Scotland, Wales, and Australia.
Thus, Spells is a fairly common surname in many English speaking countries today, with a long, interesting history. It is present across the US, as well as in various parts of the UK and Commonwealth.
Variations of the surname Spells
The surname Spells is a patronymic surname meaning “son of Spell”. It is often found in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Variants and spellings of the surname Spells can include Spell, Spill, Spils, Spyls, Speels, Speales, Speles, Spells, Spillers, Spellers, Spalles, and Spiles.
In Scotland, the surname is found mostly around Ross-shire, Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, and Sutherland.
In Ireland, the surname is found mostly in County Galway, especially in the area now known as Dublin.
In England, the surname is most common in Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Suffolk, and Norfolk.
One variation of the surname Spells is Spill. This can found in some records as Spils in Scotland and Spyls in England.
Another common variation is Speels. This can be found as Speales in Scotland, Speles in Ireland, and Spellers in England.
Other variations of the surname include Spalles and Spiles, which are primarily found in England.
Surnames derived from Spells include Spellman, Spellar, Spellman, Spellen, Spellweaver, Spiller, Spillett, Spilsbury, Spilsbury, and Spilsbury.
In some cases, the spelling of the surname may have changed over time. For example, Spell may have become Spill, or Speels may have become Speals. It is important to research all possible variations to ensure an accurate record of the family.
Famous people with the name Spells
- Candace Spells- McAfee, American singer, actress, producer and advocate
- David Spells, American football running back
- Logan Spells, American college basketball player
- Josh Spells, American actor
- Nick Spells, American basketball player
- Decker Spells, American professional cyclist
- Gilbert Spells, American politician
- Devin Spells, American professional boxer
- Joshua Spells, American athlete
- Sean Spells, American former professional box lacrosse player
- Deryon Spells, American professional basketball player
- James Spells, American former professional basketball player
- Kenneth Spells, American former college football player
- Anita Spells, American author and playwright
- Gregory Spells, American former college football player
- Monique Spells, American professional strongwoman
- Eleisha Spells, American professional amputee snowboarder
- Courtney Spells, American student and founder of the Scholars of Design Club