Surname Spethling - Meaning and Origin
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Spethling: What does the surname Spethling mean?
The surname Spethling is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German term “spetele”, which means “spoon”. Thus, Spethling literally translates to “Spoon Maker”. Spele is the root of the surname, and was the occupational name for a person who worked with crafting and carving wooden spoons.
Though there is no record of the family’s presence in Germany, evidence suggests that a branch of the Spethling family arrived in the United States in the late 1800s. Nonetheless, many Spethling families remain in Germany to this day. The Spethling family name was first recorded in East Prussia, Germany in 1630, and some have since migrated to the United States in pursuit of greater opportunities.
The Spethling family are renowned for their strong work ethic and their commitment to their faith. At the core of many Spethling families is a strong religious faith, with many having a deep Christian faith and strong roots in their church.
The Spethlings demonstrate a dedication to hard work and business, and their surnames reflect this. They are a symbol of strong morals, and many of them strive to live a principled life.
In the modern day, the Spethling surname continues to remain present in both Germany and the United States, and is a testament to the strong family bonds and work ethic that the family has long upheld.
Order DNA origin analysisSpethling: Where does the name Spethling come from?
The last name Spethling is most commonly found in Germany today. According to a website dedicated to German genealogy, the last name Spethling is thought to have originated from either Northern Germany or Scandinavia during the 12th century. Records of the name date as far back as the 13th century, when a Hermann Spethling was documented to have lived in Schleswig during 1281. This record suggests the name was probably brought to the area by immigrants from surrounding countries.
Today, the name Spethling is most commonly found in the area around Duesseldorf, Germany. The German telephone directory contains over 1,500 people surnamed Spethling. It is also not uncommon to find Spethlings living in the surrounding cities of Münster, Duisburg, "Bonn, Gelsenkirchen, Bielefeld, Munchen, and Bremerhaven.
The name Spethling is not common outside of Germany, with records only indicating a small scattered presence in countries such as England, Italy, and the United States. In the United States, the name is mostly found in places such as Pennsylvania and Texas, which have well-established connections to Germany. The name is also used in a few Jewish families due to German immigration to Eastern Europe between the 1500s and 1700s.
Overall, the last name Spethling is most strongly associated with Germany, with records indicating its usage stretching back to the 13th century. It is a common name in the area surrounding Duesseldorf, and while scattered records show it to have a presence outside of Germany, it is still primarily a German name.
Variations of the surname Spethling
The surname Spethling is a German surname which originates from the Middle High German word ‘spetelinc’, meaning belt maker or belt wearer. It is primarily derived from one’s occupation or a nickname based on physical characteristics. It is relatively uncommon and is found primarily in Germany but also in several countries across Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Variations of this surname include Spethlingen, Speteling, Spetling, Speatling, Speatlin and Speatline. Like many Germanic surnames, variants of the name often depend on region or dialect. Some of these variants have been Anglicized over the centuries, such as Spethling becoming Spatling. The ‘en’ suffix attached to the original surname form is a common German ending denoting possession or association.
Other surnames which may have the same origin as Spethling include Spechtling, Spechtel, Specht, and Spedding. These may have developed from the same or similar root for ‘maker’ or ‘wearer’ of a belt or sash. Spechtling and Spechtel are found in Germany, while Specht and Spedding are more likely to be found in the United Kingdom, though the exact origins of these surnames will depend on the individuals in question.
In summary, the surname Spethling can be found under various spellings and variants, some of which have roots in other European countries. In some cases the surname differs significantly between countries, e.g. Spethling in Germany becoming Spedding in the UK. It may also be attached by various endings denoting possession or association. It is likely that surnames such as Spechtling and Spechtel are related to the original Spethling, though further research is required to ascertain the connection.
Famous people with the name Spethling
- Reva Spethling: American fashion designer and artist.
- Sir Ronald Crawford Spethling: British sheriff of London and Member of the Order of the British Empire.
- Lena Spethling: Danish professional classical violinist.
- Maximilian Spethling: German entrepreneur and founder of the social network platform Tribal.
- Samantha Spethling: American entrepreneur and software engineer.
- Emma Spethling: American investigative journalist and civil rights activist.
- Eda Spethling: German painter and ceramic artist.
- Cole Spethling: American lawyer and human rights activist.
- James Spethling: Canadian professor of English literature.
- Aida Spethling: Swiss writer and sculptor.