Surname Spilman - Meaning and Origin
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Spilman: What does the surname Spilman mean?
The last name Spilman is of English origin and is derived from the Old French term, spilman. It was originally an occupational surname given to someone who played a stringed instrument, possibly at market fairs or in churches.
The name is derived from the old Middle English word "spilien" and was likely derived from the Old French word “espeleman”, which meant a player of the hurdy-gurdy or an organ player. In time, it was modified to Spilman and spread into Britain and other European countries during the Migration Period.
Today, the name Spilman is found throughout England, Wales, and some parts of Scotland. It is also believed to have spread to the United States during the 19th century. The family name now has a modernized spelling, with the popular spelling today being Spelman.
The name Spilman is usually associated with strong-willed and determined individuals who worked hard to make something of themselves. It is a reminder to look back at the determined individuals who dutifully took up a job to support their families, usually as a musician in a period of difficult times.
The name is also an apt reminder to always remember the value of hard work and determination, no matter the situation you find yourself in. The Spilman family name is still a prominent name and a source of pride amongst those with its spelling today.
Order DNA origin analysisSpilman: Where does the name Spilman come from?
The last name "Spilman" is most commonly found today in the United States, specifically scattered across the Eastern United States. According to data from Ancestry.com, the most common states for Spilman families include Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky.
In the United States, the Spilman name is derived from the English surname “Spilsbury,” which dates back to the Middle Ages. The Spilsbury name was derived from a residential location in Oxfordshire, England which has since returned to its original name, Pirton. From there, the Spilsbury name made its way to America, where over time, it became Spilman.
In terms of frequency, the name Spilman is not particularly common. According to the Census Bureau, only 0.00093% of the population in the United States carried the Spilman surname in 2020. Furthermore, the name does not appear at all in public records deeper than the late 1400s in England.
Despite its current rarity, the Spilman name holds a deep and important history in the United States. Often associated with settlements in colonial America, some Spilman families descend from the Spilman clan of Virginia, which is believed to stretch back to the 1700s. Today, the legacy of the Spilman family lives on in the United States in limited numbers, continuing to represent the family's roots with pride.
Variations of the surname Spilman
The surname Spilman has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variants for the Spilman surname include Spelman, Spilleman, Spielman, and Spillman.
Spellings that are particular to different countries also exist. In England, spellings such as Spillman and Spillam can be found, while in the Netherlands, spellings such as Spilleman and Spylman are common. Surnames of the same origin include Spielmann and Spelman.
Variants of the surname Spilman are generally found throughout Europe, including in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland. The Spilman name is also popular in North America, and many of the variants can be found in the United States and Canada.
Spilman is thought to have originated in northern Europe, with the earliest written records of the name being found in Germany in the 14th century. It is believed to be a derivative of the Medieval German personal name Speleman, which in turn was derived from an Old Dutch word meaning ‘God’s gamekeeper’ or ‘look after the game’.
Variant spellings and variants of the Spilman surname can be found in many different countries around the world today. The Spilman name continues to be a common surname in Europe and North America, with the various spellings and surnames of the same origin providing interesting insight into the history and ancestry of those bearing the name.
Famous people with the name Spilman
- Benjamin Spilman: media mogul and investor, founder of the media investment firm Viacom International Media Networks
- Kenneth J. Spilman: retired United States Navy Vice Admiral
- William Spilman: 16th Century English Polymath and astrologer
- Lance R. Spilman: American jazz musician, composer, and producer
- Mike Spilman: professional wrestler, WWE Superstar
- John Spilman: American politician, Massachusetts Attorney General
- Hugh C. Spilman: American union soldier and Medal of Honor recipient
- Kyle Spilman: professional skateboarder, sponsored by Diamond Supply Co.
- Melissa Spilman: author, poet, and psychotherapist
- Carly Spilman: Irish singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer