Surname Spier - Meaning and Origin
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Spier: What does the surname Spier mean?
The surname Spier is of ancient English origin, derived from the Old English word "spere," which means "spear." It was initially a nickname or an occupational name for a hunter or a warrior, someone who used a spear. Spier could also be of Dutch roots, originating from the word "spiering" which refers to a small, herring-like fish, suggesting that the earliest bearers of the surname possibly worked as fishermen. Thus, the surname Spier is related to occupations that were prevalent during the time of its origin. However, the exact meaning might have varied depending on the location and societal context of the name bearers. Like many other surnames that started as nicknames or job-related names, Spier lost its literal meaning over the decades and centuries and is now used as a family name without reference to its original significance. It should be noted that spelling variations include Speer, Speir, and Speers among others.
Order DNA origin analysisSpier: Where does the name Spier come from?
The last name Spier is primarily found in German speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name Spier is a shortened form of the name Spiegel, which is derived from the Middle High German word for "mirror." It may have signified a person who made mirrors or an alternate spelling for the occupational name "Schmidt," meaning "smith" or "metalworker."
The last name Spier is relatively rare, although it does appear in North America. To date, only about 1,000 people in the United States have the last name, making it more common in parts of Europe. The surname is particularly common along the Rhine River, particularly in areas of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In Germany, Spier can be found in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as in Baden-Württemberg. In Austria, it is particularly common in the state of Tyrol. And in Switzerland, the name is most common in the cantons of Zürich, Schwyz, and Bern.
Each year, the number of people with the last name Spier increases, although its prevalence remains low in comparison to other surnames. In fact, it does not appear on the list of Germany's top 100 surnames and only ranks within the top 1,000 in terms of frequency in Austria and Switzerland.
Overall, the last name Spier is still most commonly found in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, particularly in areas along the Rhine River.
Variations of the surname Spier
The surname Spier is derived from the Old German word spehar, meaning “spearman” or “one who wields a spear.” It is found throughout western Europe and has taken many different forms, depending on local dialect and spelling conventions.
Variants of the surname Spier include Speer, Spehr, Spear, Shear, Scher, Sheerer, Scheerer, Spearing, Spering, Spiering, Schiering, Pierer, Pier, Pierce, and Peirce.
Spier is also a variant spelling of Speyer, which is found mainly in Germany. Other variant spellings of Speyer include Spire, Spyre, Spee, Speyer, Spires, Spireson, Spiresen, Speerin, Speirer, Spyrers, Sierer, Sierers, Zyrer, and Seyrer.
The surnames Speer, Spear, Speyer, and Spires are also found in the Jewish communities of central and eastern Europe, mostly in the form of Ashkenazi spelling variations of Speier, such as Speyer, Speyrer, Speyres and Spirs.
The surname Speer can also be found in parts of the United States, specifically in areas settled by German immigrants, where it has been pronounced differently over time. The spelling is sometimes modernized to "Spear," making it easier for English speakers to pronounce.
Many surnames that are related to Spier have gone through numerous spelling variations over the centuries. Despite variations in spelling, all of these surnames are ultimately derived from the same source.
Famous people with the name Spier
- Miles Spier: American actor, TEDx speaker, business coach, and leadership trainer.
- Dan Spier: American film and television actor.
- Amy Spier: American television and film actress.
- Joe Spier: Author of the young adult novel Serial Box.
- Lino Spier: Dutch artist, primarily working in the fields of painting, sculpture, ceramics, and installations.
- Kaitlyn Spier: Esports commentator and analyst.
- Elizabeth Spier: American news anchor and correspondent.
- Curt Spier: American lawyer and businessman.
- Seinfeld Spier: Dutch writer, poet, and director.
- Julian Spier: German actor and director.