Surname Spohn - Meaning and Origin
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Spohn: What does the surname Spohn mean?
The surname Spohn is of German origin and primarily found in Southwestern Germany. The name is occupational, derived from the Middle High German term "spon" or "spôn" which means "chip" or "shaving of wood". This suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have been involved in woodworking, carpentry, or related trades. Like many surnames, it started as a nickname or job description which over time became a hereditary surname. It gained popularity through many factions, but its exact geographical origin within Germany is uncertain. The surname's variations include Spoon, Spone, Spon, Sponn, and Spohnn among others. It is comparatively rare and individuals with this surname can be found in various countries due to immigration from Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisSpohn: Where does the name Spohn come from?
The last name Spohn is most common in Germany and Austria today. It can also be found in countries with a large German influence like the United States, Canada, and Australia. This surname is derived from the German word “spohne,” meaning "traveler" or "immigrant." It's possible that the surname originally referred to wanderers from one part of Germany to another.
The surname is also found in many other parts of the world, particularly in other European countries and areas of Central and South America. It is particularly common in the Netherlands, Luxemburg, and France as well.
As with other surnames, the spelling of Spohn has changed over time but it still remains the same. In many cases, it may appear as Spohn, Spohns, Spon or Spohnig. It has also been adapted into versions of different languages, such as Spanish (Espon or Esponill) and Portuguese (Espon Suite).
The occupation of those with the name Spohn varies greatly, though they typically hold professions in the medical or business fields (particularly technical fields). Those with the surname are also known to be highly educated, creative, and determined in their goals.
In short, the surname Spohn is found mainly in Germany, Austria, and other countries with a German influence. However, it can also be found in many other parts of the world. Its spelling may vary slightly, and its holders range from businessmen to health care professionals.
Variations of the surname Spohn
The surname Spohn is derived from the Old German word "spon" meaning a "post" or "beam." The variants of this surname include the English spelling Spone, the Dutch spelling Spon, and the German spelling Spohn. It is also spelled in other languages including Spanish as Espon, Italian as Spone and the Spanish-Basque form Esponni.
As the surname spread and migrated to other countries, the spelling of the name changed over time. In some cases, the spelling was simplified and letters removed or changed.In other cases, the spelling was Anglicanized, with the addition of letters to make it easier for people in English-speaking countries to pronounce and recognize the name.
In addition to the aforementioned forms of spelling the surname, other forms of the name found in the United States include the phonetic variants Spahan, Spoan, Spohan, Spaon, and Spohn. There are also related surnames with the same origin, such as Spohnheimer, Spahn, Spaeth, and Spahlinger.
The Spohn name is also found in several European countries, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is often encountered in families with other Germanic surnames, so it's not uncommon to find variants such as Sponheim, Spehn, Schoene, and Seppen. In some instances, the surname has been modified to fit the language of the country in which they settled, as is the case with Spofin in Poland or Spofinger in Austria.
Overall, the surname Spohn continues to appear around the world, and can be found in many forms.
Famous people with the name Spohn
- Charles Arthur Spohn: Photographer, known for his ability to capture “spiritual” or emotion-filled moments.
- Craig Spohn: Creator of the world's first personal underwater propulsion vehicle, the Seabreacher.
- Cole Spohn: American NASCAR driver who has competed in the Camping World Truck Series.
- Christina Spohn: Plays the lead in the musical Lucky Stiff.
- Christopher Spohn: Academy Award-winning sound designer who has worked on films such as Mad Max: Fury Road, The Lion King, and Jurassic World.
- Carolina Spohn: Argentine actress with credits in film, television, and theater.
- Bruce Spohn: Wildlife artist known for his photorealism, inspired by mountain ranges and flowers.
- Ann Spohn: German wildlife and bird photographer who has won numerous awards for her work.
- Andreas Spohn: Swiss freelance composer and producer best known for his film music and commercial soundtrack work.
- Andrew Spohn: American poet and fantasy author whose work has been featured in the Razor Literary Magazine.