Surname Spike - Meaning and Origin
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Spike: What does the surname Spike mean?
The surname Spike is of English origin and is considered topographic, meaning it typically denotes a physical or geographic feature of a landscape. More specifically, the surname Spike is believed to have been used to identify individuals who lived near prominent physical landmarks like unusually tall and narrow trees, or perhaps sites like hills or church spires, which stood out like a "spike" on the landscape. Such topographic surnames were among the earliest created, as physical landscape features were obvious distinguishing marks that were readily identifiable. The surname Spike has variations including Speke, Speck, Spike, and others. Some noted bearers of this surname include British comedian Spike Milligan and British director Spike Jonze. It should be noted that the origin and meaning might vary for individuals with this surname based on their family histories and lineages.
Order DNA origin analysisSpike: Where does the name Spike come from?
Spike is an English surname derived from the given name "Spike", which is a medieval nickname derived from the Old English word "spic" which means a point or nail. The surname Spike is most commonly seen in the countries of the United Kingdom and Ireland, but it is also seen in other parts of the world due to migration, especially in the United States.
In the United Kingdom, Spike is most commonly found in the East Midlands and East Anglia regions, plus the southern counties of Hampshire, Kent and Essex. It is also found fairly commonly in the northern counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire.
In Ireland, Spike is found in the provinces of Connacht and Munster , but is most common in the province of Ulster. Many Irish people of the surname Spike have migrated to the United States, and it is now seen in every US state.
In Canada, the surname Spike is most commonly found in the Maritime Provinces, especially in Nova Scotia.
Spike is also found in Australia, though at a much lower frequency than in other Anglophone countries.
In recent years, international migration has made the surname Spike increasingly common in countries such as Germany, Finland, France, Spain, and Italy.
Overall, the surname Spike is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Spike
Spike is an old English surname originating from the Anglo-Saxon times. It has had a variety of different spellings throughout the centuries, making it an incredibly diverse and expansive surname. Some of the most common variants of Spike are Speke, Spyke, Spik, Spick, Speek, Spiek, Spicke, Speake, and Speakey.
There are also certain surnames of other origins that are believed to have been derived from Spike such as Spieker, Spiker, Speer, Speers, Speck, Speckman, and Spock. Although these are not precisely the same surname, they may have been derived from a similar source, thus they can be referred to as 'surnames of the same origin.'
During the course of its history, the surname Spike has experienced several minor alterations in its spelling. For example, some may choose to remove the 'e' from the spelling Speke, while some added an extra 'e' and began spelling it Speeke. Furthermore, the spelling Speak was also seen at some point.
The surname is also seen in other countries, such as Ireland and Scotland, as Spick and Spicc, respectively. In some areas of the world, the surname became Spikey, while in others it went through tweaks in its spelling such as Spicke and Spikky.
Overall, the surname Spike has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Its rich history means that it has experienced many alterations throughout centuries of use, giving rise to a plethora of related spellings.
Famous people with the name Spike
- Spike Jonze: Film director and producer
- Spike Lee: Film director, producer, and writer
- Spike Dudley: Professional wrestler
- Spike Jones: Bandleader and comedian
- Spike Edney: British keyboardist and arranger
- Spike Milligan: British comedian and writer
- Spike Jonze: Musician
- Spike Warlick: Former college baseball coach
- Spike Lee Jr.: Professional basketball player
- Spike Albrecht: American basketball player