Surname Sponholtz - Meaning and Origin

Sponholtz: What does the surname Sponholtz mean?

The surname Sponholtz is of German origin and is thought to come from the word ‘Spon’ meaning ‘spoon’. It is likely that the name evolved from a family who made spoons for a profession and therefore became known as Sponholtz or ‘spoon holder’. The ‘man with the spoon’ was likely considered a trusted tradesman throughout German settlements and this may have been how the surname originated.

Today, the Sponholtz surname is found primarily in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany. It is most likely a hereditary surname, meaning it was passed down from generation to generation, although it could have been adopted by immigrants from other countries.

The Sponholtz surname is associated with several other variations such as Spielholtz, Splanholtz, Spohnholtz and Sporn. Additionally, some families may have changed their surname to a more Anglicised version such as Spooner or Spoonholtz.

Regardless of how the surname may have evolved, it is clear that the original meaning is spoons. The Sponholtz name is symbolic of the tradesmen who made them and the trust these craftsmen inspired in their customers.

Sponholtz: Where does the name Sponholtz come from?

Sponholtz is a patronymic surname derived from the German given name of "Spon" or "Spohn". This name was popularized in medieval Germany and is still commonly found across many German speaking countries today, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg. It is also found in the Netherlands, Poland, and Scandinavia.

In the United States, Sponholtz is a fairly uncommon surname, however, descendants of 19th century German immigrants have spread the name somewhat. The most recent census reveals that more than 900 individuals carry the surname in the US today. Most are concentrated in the Midwestern states, particularly Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin, and in some western states such as Oregon and Washington.

Sponholtzes can also be found in other parts of the world, such as Australia, Canada, and South America. Nevertheless, the most concentration of Sponholtz families remain in Europe, especially in Germany, where the name is still quite common in regions such as Bavaria, the Rhineland, and the surrounding areas.

Variations of the surname Sponholtz

Sponholtz is a German surname, which takes its root from the term "spohn", meaning "stick" or "sparrow". Common variants of the name include Spohnholz, Spohenholz, Sponholz, Spohnolz, and Sponholz.

In addition, many anglicized versions of the name exist, such as Sponhaltz, Sponholtz, Sponhols, Sponhals, Speyenholtz, Schwonholz, Spahnholtz, Sponholster, Sponhaltze, and Sponholtze. The name is also commonly found with the suffixes "-hoff", "-off", "-hoffer", or "-over".

Because of its origin, Sponholtz is also found in other parts of Germany as Spehnholz, Spehn, Spiehnholz, Spehner, Spehle, and Spiehle. In Austria, the name is occasionally spelled Spehnold and Spoönold, while in Switzerland, the name is occasionally spelled Sponoud.

More unusual spellings of the name exist, such as Sponheil, Spon eyl, Sponeil and even Sponhail. These are all considered to be variants or less common spellings of the same surname.

In the United States and Canada, many people with the Sponholtz surname have anglicized their family name in various ways, such as Sponhalt, Sponholt, Spanholtz, Spanholz, Spohnholtz, and Sponholtz.

Overall, Sponholtz is a surprisingly varied surname, and many spellings and variants exist across the world.

Famous people with the name Sponholtz

• Jordan Sponholtz: American actor, writer, producer and director. He is known for his roles in films such as Silence (2016), Baywatch (2017) and Unbroken (2014).
• Jill Sponholtz: American professional basketball player who played for teams like the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA.
• Richard Sponholtz: A German actor and theater director. He was one of the founders of the Deutscher Schauspielerpreis Awards.
• Friedrich Sponholtz: Austrian actor who appeared in over thirty films and television series between 1939 and 1972.
• Jerry Sponholtz: American television and film composer who best known for his work on shows like The Wonder Years and Cheers.
• Lucas Sponholtz: American YouTube star who has amassed over 450 thousand subscribers to his channel.
• Josef Sponholtz: Austrian Jockey who won the 1937 German Oaks at Hoppegarten Racecourse.
• John Sponholtz: American businessman who was a co-founder of software company Computer Associates.
• Heinrich Sponholtz: German philosopher and theologian of the nineteenth century whose works focused on ethics and spiritual life.
• Lisa Sponholtz: American artist and new media designer who has exhibited in prominent art galleries in New York and Europe.

Other surnames

Sponholz