Surname Spott - Meaning and Origin
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Spott: What does the surname Spott mean?
The last name Spott is an occupational name most likely of Germanic and Anglo-Saxon origins. Its root can be traced back to the Old English word "spott," which has been defined as a job involving the making of spouts or channels from which liquid was poured out. Hence, those with the last name Spott likely originally held occupations involving metalworking, stone-cutting, carpentry, or other forms of artisanry pertaining to the use and manipulation of liquids.
The Spott surname is also found recorded in England as early as the 12th century, with the first recorded instance of usage being that of Robertus Spote in 1266. There is also recorded in a 12breoptic charter of the Bishop of London from the same time period, in which one Richard Spot appears as a witness, suggesting the Spott name was established and in use during this period.
The name has since gone on to many different spellings, including Spott, Spot, Spotte, Spote, Spotstown, Spotteland, and Spatters. It is found across the British Isles throughout the Middle Ages, particularly in England and Scotland. The name is still popular in the British Isles today, with over 100,000 people bearing the name in the United Kingdom alone.
Order DNA origin analysisSpott: Where does the name Spott come from?
The last name Spott is commonly found in the United States and in German-speaking countries such as Germany and Austria. In the United States, Spott is most frequently found in the states of Missouri, Illinois, and California. In these areas, birth records show that the surname was most common in the early- to mid-1900s. It is believed that the surname originated in Germany and Austria in the late 1700s and was likely brought to America by German immigrants.
The surname Spott is derived from the German word “spott,” meaning “jest.” It is believed that the surname was originally a nickname given to someone whose behavior included making humorous comments or jesting. As such, the surname is likely an occupational name, as the jester was a common title in the royal courts of Europe during that time.
Today, the surname Spott is spread across the United States and German-speaking countries. It is most commonly found among German Americans and Pennsylvania Dutch. Spott families still maintain ties to their home countries, often visiting extended family and attending family reunions in Germany or Austria.
Variations of the surname Spott
The surname Spott is mainly found in northern Europe, particularly in Germany and Denmark. It is also found throughout English-speaking countries. The name is derived from the German word ‘spott’, which means mockery or ridicule. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Spot, Spode, Spood, Spoot, Spoth, Spothe, Spoote, Spotte and Spooty.
In Germany, variations of the surname Spott include Spot, Spod, Spood and Spoot. Spot is a topographic name referring to someone who lived in an area where sharp pointed stones (‘spots’) are present. Spod is a variant of spot. The spelling of Spood is found only in Germany. The name Spoot has also been adopted in Germany and is considered a variant of the original surname Spot.
In Denmark, variations of the surname Spott include Spoth and Spothe. In Sweden, another variant of Spott is Spote. The English-speaking countries have adopted the versions Spot, Spode, and Spooty. In some parts of Ireland, Spot is more common.
Variants of the surname Spott have also been found in the United States, in the form of Spode and Spooty. Spode refers to someone who lived on a spot of land, while Spooty is a variant of Spot with an alternate spelling.
As you can see, the surname Spott and its variants are widespread throughout Europe and in the English-speaking countries. Despite their different origins and spellings, these variants all have the same meaning: mockery or ridicule.
Famous people with the name Spott
- Tom Spott: Professional Bull Rider
- Patrick Spott: Actor
- Rudolf Spott: Austrian Physician
- William Spott: Former Member of the British Parliament
- Jack Spott: Australian Politician
- Charles Spott: British Grocer
- James Spott: American Film and Television Producer
- Michael Spott: Businessman and Former Mayor of London
- Matthew Spott: British professional golfer
- Valarie Spott: Playwright and Director