Surname Spirling - Meaning and Origin
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Spirling: What does the surname Spirling mean?
The surname Spirling is of Scottish origin, and can be found in ancient records within the region. The name is derived from the Old English word "Spir," meaning "a hawk," or "a excellent hunter." This could have originally been used to describe someone skilled in the art of falconry. With the addition of "-ling," a diminutive suffix, the name became Spirling, possibly referring to a small hawkish person.
The Spirling family is still prominent throughout Scotland today, and retains a strong Clan identity. Folklore surrounding the family name suggests that members of the Spirling family would only marry into families of equal wealth and stature. This was thought to be done to maintain the respectability while also ensuring the prestige and prosperity of their descendants.
The surname Spirling is commonly found in Scottish records dating from as early as 1440 in the parish records of Rutherglen. In more recent times members of the Spirling family have emigrated to other countries, taking the name with them, and can now be found in places such as the United States, Canada, England, and Australia.
All in all, the surname Spirling is strongly associated with Scotland and the surrounding area. It reflects an ancient and proud history of tradition, nobility, and prosperity, which continues to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisSpirling: Where does the name Spirling come from?
The last name Spirling is most commonly associated with Scotland, particularly the Midlothian area. This surname is believed to have originated in that area as far back as the 13th century. It is derived from a location name in Granmuir, Midlothian – “Spirlinge”.
The Spirling surname is still quite common throughout Scotland today. The name is especially prevalent in Borders, Fife, Dumfriesshire, Lanarkshire, and the Midlothian area. It is also common in Australia, England, Northern Ireland, and the United States.
In the United States, the surname is found mainly in states located in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. New York is the state with the most Spirling family members, but the name also exists in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland. There are smaller numbers of people with the last name Spirling in other areas around the country, including Texas, California, and Minnesota.
In general, the people with this last name have their roots in Scottish ancestry, though there are also some who are descended from English, Irish, and American lines. It’s likely that the Spirling name will continue to spread around the world in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Spirling
The surname Spirling is believed to have derived from Scotland. It is likely that the name originated from the Middle English "Spyrlyng" or "Spyrling" which was derived from the Old English word "spyrlic". Spelling variants of Spirling could include Spyrlyng, Spyrling, Spirlyn, and Spirlinge, while alternative surnames of the same origin include Sparling and Sparlin.
Due to the spelling variations, the name Spirling could have been translated from Scotland into different areas throughout the world during migration periods, which would have produced various alternative spellings of the name. This could include forms such as Spurling, Spirlin, Spearlan, and Spearing.
Surnames related to Spirling can also be found in Northern England, originally derived from the Old Norse "sperlingr", meaning "sparrow". These surnames include Sparling, Spurlings, Spurlin, and Sparlinge.
In other places, such as Germany and Northern Europe, the surname Spirling also has some derived forms which include Schoeparling, Schoeparlingen, Schoeperling, and Spielerling.
The hereditary surname Spirling is thought to have been relatively uncommon, likely because of the variations spelled more commonly in different countries, and the fact that it is not commonly found listed on census records. However, due to the fact that the surname is believed to originate in Scotland, anyone researching the surname is encouraged to look further into their Scottish ancestry.
Famous people with the name Spirling
- Lilah Spirling: singer/reality tv star from UK’s “The Voice”
- Lila Spirling: internationally renowned writer and academic
- Jack Spirling: British footballer currently playing for Tottenham Hotspur
- Florence Spirling: British sculptor
- Alfred Spirling: Scottish physicist and mathematician
- Jenny Spirling: British actress known for roles in Torchwood and the Marshall Plan
- Geoffrey Spirling: world-renowned cellist
- Horatio Spirling: British admiral, prominent during the Crimean War
- Victoria Spirling: international opera singer
- Alastair Spirling: award-winning film and theater director