Surname Spether - Meaning and Origin

Spether: What does the surname Spether mean?

The last name Spether likely originates from an Old English word meaning “spear” or “spather”. It is likely that it referred to someone associated with the weapon, could have been an armorer or a blacksmith that crafted such weapons.

The spelling of this surname has varied over the centuries. The earliest written forms of this name date back to the 1200s, when it appeared as “Sperd” or “Sparent”. By the middle ages, its prior spelling had morphed into a more modernized form of “Spether”.

The presence of the Spether surname is recorded in several areas of England with varying levels of frequency, indicating an immigrating source of the family. It is mainly found in areas around the Gloucester and Warwickshire county area, as well as a smaller presence in Northumberland and Leicestershire.

Having records present in multiple areas in England is an indicator that this is an old surname, perhaps dating as far back to the Bronze Age when people first began to settle in England.

Despite its age, the name continues to remain popular today in several English speaking countries. The Spether family today can usually be found in former British Colonies such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and South Africa.

Spether: Where does the name Spether come from?

The last name Spether is generally found in the United States. Census data from 2000 indicates that approximately 700 people bear the surname. It is more commonly found in the states of Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

It is likely that the Spether surname originated in Germany some time in the early 1800s. Immigrants bearing this name likely traveled to America for economic or social reasons. Family records suggest that many traveled to this country in pursuit of religious freedom.

The Spether surname is most often found amongst those who are of German American descent. It is also found in small numbers among some European countries, such as the Netherlands and Poland. It is also thought to have a presence in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Today, the Spether name is not particularly widespread. However, it is likely that it holds some degree of significance to the people who are still living with it. Hopefully, its legacy will endure for generations to come.

Variations of the surname Spether

The surname Spether has a number of different variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origins. Some of the more commonly-encountered variants include Speether, Spéther, Speather, Spather, Speetor, Speetur, and Speettur.

The surname Spether derives from the Old English word ‘sceap,’ which means shepherd or “one who looks after sheep.” The name was originally used to identify those who took care of sheep and other livestock, often on a farm. It was common in many places in Europe during the Middle Ages.

Over time, the surname began to be associated with other occupations, such as blacksmiths or wrights. The spelling of the name also changed throughout the centuries, with Speether becoming the most common form of the name today. Some families changed their spelling, however, to fit their own nationality, such as the French variation Speéther.

Other surnames that may be related to the Spether surname are Stillwell, Sheppard, and Shepherd. These were derived from the same Old English name and may have been changed due to immigration or other circumstances. There are also some Scottish surnames, such as Speirs or Spires, which may also be related to the Spether surname.

In conclusion, the surname Spether has many different variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origins. These spellings include Speether, Speéther, Spéther, Speather, Spather, Speetor, Speetur, and Speettur. The name is derived from the Old English word ‘sceap’ and according to records, it was most commonly used to identify those who took care of sheep. Other variants and surnames related to it include Stillwell, Sheppard, Shepherd, Speirs, and Spires.

Famous people with the name Spether

• Max Spether: German-born spiritualist, lecturer, author, healer and graphologist; he is best known for his greatest work “The Great Mystery”.
• George Von Spether: Famous German surreal artist; his artwork often recreated swirly, magical scenes.
• John Spether: An American songwriter and producer; his career spanned from the 1950s to the 1980s.
• Harry Spether: An American short story writer and poet; his stories often were related to human frailties and melancholic undertones.
• Feydeau Spether: A British Author; he wrote about spiritualism and other esoteric topics.
• Robert Plummer Spether: A British Novelist; his most renowned work is the novel “The Stranger of the Inland”.
• Arnold Spether: A German philosopher and scholar who was widely known for his works on the history of philosophy and the field of logic.
• Richard Spether: An American artist and creator; he often used mechanical structures and artwork for his innovations.
• John Reading Spether: A British philosopher and linguist who is remembered for his impact on the field of philosophy.
• Paul Spether: An American theatrical director; his famous works include “The Winter Garden” and “A Place To Dream”.

Other surnames

SpethSpethlingSpethmann