Surname Spenger - Meaning and Origin

Spenger: What does the surname Spenger mean?

The last name Spenger is of Germanic origin and has been used since the medieval period in Germany. It is derived from the Old Saxon personal name Spanker, from the Germanic root Spang meaning "tongs," or "pliers," and therefore suggests an occupational origin for the name.

The name refers to someone that made or used tongs, pliers, or other such implements, possibly a metal worker. It is possible that the first bearers of the Spenger surname were armorers, blacksmiths, and metal artisans in the Middle Ages. However, there is no definitive historical evidence for this.

Spenger is most commonly found in Germany today, although individuals with this name can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. In the US, the name is believed to have been brought by immigrants between the 17th and 19th centuries.

While the Spenger name is no longer associated with a specific trade today, it serves as a reminder of the perseverance of Germanic traditions in the face of changing times. It is a testament to the hardworking citizens of Germany who worked hard to ensure their livelihoods in challenging economic times. Even today, those who bear the Spenger name continue this legacy of strength, resilience, and determination.

Spenger: Where does the name Spenger come from?

Today, the last name Spenger is most commonly found in Germany, with a much smaller presence in Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking countries. It is also widely distributed across the United States, where it ranks around 8,700th-most common surname.

In Germany, Spenger historically is a local name for someone from a village in Bavaria. There are also a few area-specific purposes for the name; in Hungary it appears mainly in locations near the Danube, and in Bohemia it appears near Marienbad and Prague.

In the archaeological record, the last name Spenger appears fairly recently, with the earliest record of the name being found in 14th century sources.

Today, Spenger is a relatively uncommon surname; it ranks among the top 100,000 names in the United States, but is generally not common in most other places. People with the surname Spenger come from a variety of backgrounds, including German, Austrian, Czech, and Slovak. It is also sometimes spelled as Spingler, which may refer to a name originating from Switzerland.

In terms of etymology, it appears to be derived from a diminutive of the Germanic name Spenger, which comes from the Middle High German words 'spen' and 'kreutz', meaning 'spindle cross'. This likely refers to a person who worked with the spinning wheel.

Variations of the surname Spenger

The surname Spenger has a variety of different spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. These include Spinger, Speinger, Spenger, Sprayger, and Spronger.

The surname Spenger is likely Germanic in origin, specifically, from the pre-seventh century Old Germanic word “Spehngere” which means “butcher”. It has also been suggested to be of Dutch or Flemish origin, derived from the old Dutch name "Spronger". The name also appears to mean "leap" or "jump".

In France, the name has also been found in the form of Prunger, derived from the old Germanic, Dutch, and/or Flemish "Spronger", and also from the old Germanic word "Prongere".

In England, the surname is generally found as Spinger, Speinger, and Spenger. One can also find the surname in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. In Scotland, variants include Spingy, Springei, and Springey, and in Ireland, the surname is generally found as Spence, Spring, Springe, and Spenton.

In Germany, various spellings of the same surname can also be found, including Spehnger, Spehnger, Spehnger, Spieler, Schmengel, Schmengele, and Schmengel.

Overall, the surname Spenger has numerous variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, stemming from Germanic, Dutch, Flemish, French, and other sources. Its root meaning refers to a “butcher” or somebody who “leaps” or “jumps”, and remains spread throughout many countries.

Famous people with the name Spenger

• Rory Spenger: Actor
• Robert Spenger: Composer and singer/songwriter
• Adam Spenger: TV show host
• Richard Spenger: Artist and sculptor
• Harry Spenger: Professional golfer
• John Spenger: Former NHL player
• Charles Spenger: Executive producer
• Benny Spenger: Actor
• Cy Spenger: Musician
• Fred Spenger: Retired NBA player
• Jerry Spenger: Cinematographer
• Jeff Spenger: Professional racecar driver
• Rob Spenger: Music producer and audio engineer
• Rebecca Spenger: Author
• Ben Spenger: Radio personality
• Laura Spenger: Chef
• Susan Spenger: Breast cancer awareness advocate and environmentalist
• Dana Spenger: Fashion designer
• Mike Spenger: Social justice activist
• Josh Spenger: Comic book artist

Other surnames

SpengelerSpengler