Surname Sperk - Meaning and Origin
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Sperk: What does the surname Sperk mean?
The last name Sperk is of German origin and is derived from the word 'speer', which means 'lance'. Its first known use in Germany was in the 13th century, and it is thought to have been first used by a family of warriors who carried spears in battle.
In the German language, 'sperk' is also used to describe someone who is bright and attentive. This may have been a reference to people in the family who were skilled with weapons and who could protect their kin in battle.
Sperk is a common last name, but it is not found in many other nations beyond Germany. It has several alternative spellings, including Spierk, Sperke, Spielk and Speyrk.
The family name Sperk is associated with strength, courage and independence. It suggests someone who is not only brave and loyal, but also bright and knowledgeable. Those with this last name are likely to have a vibrant and complex past, filled with stories of bravery and valor.
Order DNA origin analysisSperk: Where does the name Sperk come from?
The last name Sperk is an uncommon last name today. Reports from the United States Census Bureau indicate that Sperk is the 7,484th most common last name in the United States, with around 4,600 people having the name in 2000. Just over 99% of people who bear the name are found in the United States. Of the 4,600 people with the last name in 2000, 80% of them lived in Ohio, which was the most populated state with the name. It is likely that the last name was brought in to Ohio by German immigrants from Europe in the late 1800s.
Outside of the United States, the last name is still relatively rare and is found throughout Germany, Austria, The Czech Republic, and Switzerland. It is likely that all of these countries had a level of migration to the United States during the same period as Ohio. The last name Sperk is mostly distributed in the western part of Central Europe, with the highest concentrations in Baden-Wurttemburg, Bavaria, and the Rhineland region of Germany.
Today, the last name Sperk is relatively uncommon and is predominantly found in the United States, with a handful of people who bear the name living in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Sperk
The surname Sperk has its origin in Hungary and is derived from the personal name Spirk, which is derived from the Latin word “spirar” which means “to blow”. Thus, the surname itself might indicate an individual who was known for his ability to blow wind instruments.
The common variants and other related spellings for Sperk include Sperka, Spork, Sporek, Sporck and Sporcky. The surname can also be found as Sprick and Sprick in some areas. Sperk is also found in other countries such as Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland in the form of Sperl, Sperlova, Sperlla, Sperlik and Sporka.
Surnames of related origin to Sperk include Spirka, Spirov, Spirovcik, and Spirovski, which are all derived from the ancient personal names Spir and Spirov. Other surnames such as Sprondel, Spirando, and Spronge have a similar origin and are derived from the Latin word “spargere”, which means “to scatter”.
All in all, the different spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin for Sperk show a strong resemblance that can most likely be traced back to the ancient Latin words “spirar” and “spargere”. However, it is unknown exactly when and why the spelling of the surname changed or why certain variants of the surname developed.
Famous people with the name Sperk
- Harald Sperk: Austrian footballer
- Hans Peter Sperk: Austrian Alpine skier
- Katharina Sperk: Austrian actress
- Alexander Sperk: Hungarian Roman Catholic bishop
- Kevin Sperk: American ice hockey coach
- Branko Sperk: Slovenian sculptor
- Hynek Sperk: Czech photographer
- Oskar Sperk: Austrian ski jumper
- Ulrike Sperk: German table tennis player
- Susan Sperk: American model and TV presenter