Surname Spera - Meaning and Origin
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Spera: What does the surname Spera mean?
The surname "Spera" has Italian roots and it is derived from the Latin verb "sperare" which translates to "hope" in English. This suggests that the original bearers of the name could possibly have a hopeful disposition or bear some connection with the concept of hope, whether symbolic or otherwise. As surnames often originated from nicknames, professions, geographic locations or a patriarch’s name, the name Spera could perhaps have been associated with an ancestor who was known for their optimism or faith. Additionally, like many other Italian surnames, Spera might have been used to signify and identify families in tight-knit communities, specifically in regions where the name is more common such as in Campania, Molise, and Sicily. Therefore, anyone with the surname Spera likely has some ancestral connection to these regions. It's worth noting that the meanings of surnames can vary significantly over time and geography, so the interpretation of the name Spera can differ based on cultural and historical context.
Order DNA origin analysisSpera: Where does the name Spera come from?
The last name Spera is primarily of Italian origin and can be found most commonly in the regions where Italian culture is prominent, such as Italy, the United States and Canada. In Italy, it is most often found in the regions of Sicily, Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, and Campania. In the United States, the most populous states for the surname are Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida. In Canada, Spera is particularly popular in Ontario.
The history of the name in Italy goes back many centuries. Records suggest the earliest known user of the surname was Antonio di Spera in 1380 in Naples. It is likely that the name originates from the Latin spira, referring to an inner curve of an arch, as the suffix “-spera" was often used to describe buildings or churches of a certain design.
In modern times, the Spera surname is still quite common in Italy. It remains one of the most common surnames in the Campania region as well as other parts of the country. In the United States, Spera is a much less common surname, but it is still found in the northeast in states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. In Canada, the name is primarily located in the province of Ontario.
Overall, the last name Spera can be found in areas where Italian culture and heritage are still prominent. Despite the centuries that have passed since the name was first used, it is still quite common in areas such as Italy, the United States, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Spera
The surname Spera has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Spero, Speer, Speier, Speyer, Sperv, Sperger, Sperrich, Sperlich, Spier, Speercken, Speerckenhuis, Spörrich, Spörck, Spíček, Spyra, and Spieri.
The name Spera most likely has its origin in the Germanic tribe, the Franks (also known as the Franconians). This tribe was one of the people that inhabited the Frankish Empire, an area that was originally part of the Roman Empire.
The Germanic root ‘spêra’ means ‘watchman’ or ‘guardian’ and this is likely to be the origin of the surname Spera. This name therefore has the same meaning for all its variants.
Spero is a variant of the surname Spera and is an Italian name. This variant is very common in Italy and has been in use since the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Latin word ‘sperare’, meaning ‘hope’ or ‘expect’. This name is also found in areas such as Malta and Sicily.
Speer, Speier, and Speyer are variants of the surname Spera, also of German origin. These variants could be derived from the German word ‘spiere’, which means ‘spy’.
Sperv, Sperger, Sperrich, Sperlich, Spier, Speercken, Speerckenhuis, Spörrich, Spörck, Spíček, Spyra, and Spieri are all variants of the surname Spera that also have German roots. The variants Sperv and Sperger are derived from the German word ‘spar’, meaning ‘protection’, while Sperrich and Sperlich are derived from the German words ‘sprechen’ and ‘sperger’ respectively, both meaning ‘speaker’. The other variants are derived from similar German words meaning ‘guard’, ‘watchman’, ‘spy’, and ‘trustworthy’.
In conclusion, the surname Spera and its many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are likely to have Germanic roots, with the original meaning of ‘watchman’ or ‘guardian’.
Famous people with the name Spera
- Anthony Spera: American game show producer and musician
- Chris Spera: American actor
- Diego Spera: Italian professional footballer
- Giovanni Spera: Italian actor, producer, director, screenwriter and television presenter
- Emilio Spera: Italian radio personality
- Kyle Spera: American producer and television personality
- Paul Spera: American screenwriter
- Pierre Spera: French broadcaster and journalist
- Mark Spera: American actor, director and producer
- Monique Spera: Canadian television producer and film director