Surname Speth - Meaning and Origin
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Speth: What does the surname Speth mean?
The surname Speth derives from the German word "Specht," which means ‘woodpecker’. It is thought to have been used as a nickname or a metonymic occupational name for a carpenter, referring to their similarity to the woodpecker and ability to create items with wood. The surname is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. According to recordings from the Middle Ages, the surname was first recorded in 1179 in the Bavarian town of Schwatzingen, where a Hermann Speth was recorded as a witness.
The Speth surname can be found in many variations, such as Specht, Spetch, and Spetz, just to name a few. The Speth version of the surname is believed to arise from Alsatian-German speaking areas. It has also been found in other parts of Europe, as well as in areas of the United States, such as Pennsylvania.
Today, the Speth name is thriving and there are many branches of the family with distinct origins. Although the Speth name has gone through many changes over the centuries, it remains an important marker in the family tree, reflecting on its rich history and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisSpeth: Where does the name Speth come from?
The last name Speth is most commonly seen in Germany and Austria, as well as in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It is a Germanic surname, derived from the german word "spitze" which means "sharp" or "pointed". This name was typically given to a person known for their sharp-wittedness or sharp tongue.
Today, the name Speth can be seen throughout the world, due to the migration of many German and Austrian families in the 18th and 19th centuries. There are significant numbers of people with this name living in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and many other countries.
In Europe, the Speth name is most abundantly seen in Germany and the surrounding countries, especially in the states of Baden-Württemburg, Bavaria, and Rhineland-Palatinate. Additionally, Speth has become quite common in other parts of the world, including Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.
The frequency of the surname Speth has also increased in some countries over the past century. This is largely due to global migration and population growth, especially from German and Austrian speaking countries.
In conclusion, the last name Speth is found all over the world today, with its highest concentration in the countries of German-speaking Europe. However, it has become increasingly common in other parts of the world, including North and South America, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East.
Variations of the surname Speth
The surname Speth is derived from a Germanic word meaning “worker” or “artisan”. Variants of this name are Speeth, Specht, Spiecht, Spiehte, Spheth, Speethe, Speete, Speet, Speehte, and Spiehte.
Some common spellings for the name Speth are Speeth, Specht, Speethe, and Speet. These spellings all tend to be more common in Germanic countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, where the name originated.
The variations of Speth can also be found in surnames such as Speethe, Spieth, Specht, Spith, Spick, Specht, Speiche, Speicht, Spchith, Spheith, and Speith.
Surnames with a similar origin to Speth include Spaht, Spahr, and Spaeth. These remain popular in German-speaking areas of the world and can also be found with various spellings, including Spehr, Spair, Speehrs, Spaers, Spairs, Spaear, Spaers, and Spahrs.
Overall, the surname Speth is of Germanic origin and has a variety of spelling and surname variations. These spellings and surnames are popular in Germanic countries, as well as some parts of the United States and Canada, where immigrants from Germanic countries have settled.
Famous people with the name Speth
- Dr. John Speth: distinguished professor emeritus in the Department of Anthropology of the University of Michigan, United States.
- Maarten Sprenger: Dutch gold medalist cyclist
- Robert Speth: German engineer, inventor, and professor
- Ernst Speth: German scientist and geologist
- Christian Speth: well-known German neurologist and neuropathologist
- Mike Speth: former head coach for men's soccer at Ohio University
- Karl Speth: well-known German art historian
- Alexander Speth: Former Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Bank
- Thomas Speth: former CEO of the U.S. Air Force Reserve
- Eric Speth: Former CEO of The Westervelt Company