Surname Spight - Meaning and Origin
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Spight: What does the surname Spight mean?
The surname Spight doesn't have a clear, definitive meaning or origin documented in ancestry records. Like many surnames, it could potentially be locational, occupational, or even derived from a nickname. However, it's speculated to be a variant of the surname Spaight. This name is of early medieval English origin, thought to be derived from the Middle English term "spak," meaning "lively" or "nimble," and could possibly refer to someone who was fast or keen. Additionally, the similarity of Spight with the English word "spite" may hint at a descriptive or nickname origin, referring to someone with a spiteful or malicious character, although this is purely speculative and may not hold historical accuracy. Final interpretation of this surname's meaning and origin would benefit from more advanced genealogical research. It's important to mention that the evolution of surnames over centuries and across regions can lead to many variations and complex origins.
Order DNA origin analysisSpight: Where does the name Spight come from?
The last name Spight is most commonly found in the United States today. Census records from 1940 show that Spight was an especially common name in Mississippi and Alabama, where it still remains popular. Other areas in the South, such as Louisiana, Georgia, and Texas have also seen a historically high number of people with the Spight surname.
Outside of the southern United States, Spight is much less common. Other regions such as the northwest, midwest, and northeast have more recently had smaller populations of people with the last name Spight. That said, the number of people with the surname Spight is still present outside of the South, albeit decreasing in many areas.
Spight is also seen internationally in countries with strong historical connections to the United States, such as Canada and the United Kingdom. It is also found in Caribbean countries where there are traditions of African-American culture and ancestry.
The last name Spight is not as common as it used to be. However, it retains some of its most popular locations in the South, as well as pockets of populations internationally.
Variations of the surname Spight
The surname Spight can be traced back to England and is derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name 'Spight', meaning 'spy' or 'look-out'. There are various spellings and variants of this surname in use today.
The spelling of 'Spight' is the most common form of the surname, but alternate versions such as 'Spit', 'Spyte' and 'Spite' can also be found. Other surnames of Scottish and Northern English origin which derive from 'Spight' include 'Speight', 'Skeyt', 'Spayt', 'Spye', 'Speit', 'Spec', 'Spead' and 'Speights'.
Additionally, there are surnames of Dutch and German origin related to 'Spight'. These include 'Spijker', 'Spiker', 'Spicker', 'Spiegle' and 'Speich' among others.
In the United States, the spelling of 'Spight' is mainly found among African American families whose ancestors were once slaves. The spelling, 'Spight', was likely introduced to African Americans by slaveholders looking for an easy way to remember their slave's names.
Many of today's Spight families have generations of ancestors in the United States, as well as in England, Scotland and other areas of Europe. The variations of the surname today provide an insight into the diverse history of this surname.
Famous people with the name Spight
- Samuel Spight: Former American football player from Texas
- Imamu Amiri Baraka, aka "LeRoi Jones": African American writer and social activist
- Terrence Spight: American gospel recording artist
- Willie A. Spight Sr.: African American businessman, professor and radio host
- Normani Kordei Hamilton: Singer, songwriter and former member of girl group Fifth Harmony
- Robert Spight: Former bishop in the United Methodist Church
- William M. Spight III: American educator and author
- Jared B. Spight: Former mayor of Seattle, Washington
- Devon Spight: American fashion designer and artist
- Jean lifts Spight: Former American educator and social welfare administrator
- Ivory R. Spight: Civil rights advocate and pastor in Detroit
- Colby Spight: American voice actress and musician
- Walter E. Spight: Former American Civil Rights leader in Mississippi
- Tavin Spight: American poet and academic
- Andra Kmoníček Spight: Slovak-Canadian writer and lecturer
- Michael Spight: Former professional athlete from Chicago
- Vivian Spight: American attorney and former public defender