Surname Spotts - Meaning and Origin

Spotts: What does the surname Spotts mean?

The last name Spotts is an English and German surname most commonly found in the United States. It is derived from the Middle English word spote, meaning "a place where water falls" or from the German surname Spott, which is generally thought to mean “pointed spot.” It likely originated as a toponymic name, referring to an individual who had a house or lived near a pointed spot or waterfall.

The Spotts surname is most prevalent in the United States, but is also found in Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. In the United States, most individuals with the surname lived in Pennsylvania in 1880, when the first census for the country was taken. Other states where the surname was moderately common in 1880 included New York, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia.

In Pennsylvania, the Spotts surname is most concentrated in York County and Lancaster County, and has a distribution that extends through much of the mid-Atlantic region. It is likely that the majority of individuals in this part of the country with the Spotts surname are descended from German immigrants who came to America in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

The Spotts name has various modern-day spellings, including Spott, Spot, and Spots, with the Spotts spelling retaining the most appeal today as a result of its pleasant linguistic harmony. Despite its German and English roots, the Spotts surname is intrinsically tied to America, where it has flourished over centuries of immigration and assimilation.

Spotts: Where does the name Spotts come from?

The last name Spotts is most commonly found in the United States, especially in Pennsylvania. It is believed to be of German descent, deriving from 'Spotz'. Within the US, Spotts is highly concentrated in eastern sections of Pennsylvania. Many of the earliest Spotts immigrants settled in Bucks County, Lancaster County, Northampton County, and Lehigh County in PA.

The Spotts family has been present in the state of Pennsylvania for many centuries. In 1732, the first Spotts settlers immigrated to America from Germany and married local German speaking women, thus bringing the family name to the United States. Over the years, many members of the Spotts family have settled in other states throughout the country, such as Ohio, Florida, New Jersey, Indiana and South Dakota.

Despite the geographical dispersal of the family, many have remained in Pennsylvania, with Spotts descendants active in various parts of the state, including Berks County, Franklin County, Lehigh County, and York County.

The Spotts family have a strong presence in the Allentown/Bethlehem area, which is considered the hub of the Spotts family. The city is home to many festivities and events focused around the Spotts family and its rich heritage. Every year a charity ball is held to raise money for various local charities around the area.

The Spotts family is a tight-knit group, and many of its members are highly active in their respective communities. With a strong commitment to preserving their heritage, the Spotts family will continue to thrive for many years to come.

Variations of the surname Spotts

Spotts is a surname of Germanic origin, which derived from the Middle High German word "spozz" meaning "the sign of a struggle", "the mark of a wound", or "the scar of the sword". It is often spelled as Spotz, Spots, or Spottswood.

In Germany, the spelling of 'Spotts' is primarily seen in the states of Bavaria, Hesse, Baden-Wuerttemberg, and Saarland. A variant of this spelling is 'Spots' which can be mainly found in central Germany. It is also somewhat common in Switzerland, where it is spelled Spotz.

In the United Kingdom, the spelling of 'Spotts' is primarily seen in England. The common variant of the surname in England is 'Spotswood'. This is an old variant, likely derived from the Old English words for "eye" and "picket", meaning a "watch post". A variant of this spelling can be found in Scotland, as 'Spotwood'.

In the United States, the surname 'Spotts' is mainly found in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions of the country, particularly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Common variants of the surname in the United States are 'Spottiswood' and 'Spotswood'.

Other variations of the surname 'Spotts' include 'Spotz', 'Spots', 'Spottiswode', 'Spottes', 'Spotten' and 'Spottwood'.

Famous people with the name Spotts

• Rebecca Spotts: Rebecca Spotts is a successful film producer and screenwriter. She has had her work featured in films such as The Exorcist and The Hangover.
• Steven Spotts: Steven Spotts is an actor who has appeared in films such as Baby Geniuses, A History of Violence, and War of the Worlds.
• William Spotts: William Spotts is a former Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
• Marjorie Spotts: Marjorie Spotts is a successful television writer whose credits include Newhart, Frasier, and Dharma and Greg.
• Rob Spotts: Rob Spotts is a three-time Emmy-nominated music composer and sound designer whose credits include The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and The Venture Bros.
• Chris Spotts: Chris Spotts is a musician and music producer. He is known for producing records by bands such as The Killers, The Killers, and Paramore.
• Oliver Spotts: Oliver Spotts is an experienced singer and songwriter. He has written songs for artists such as Billy Joel, Billy Bragg, and U2.
• Mel Spotts: Mel Spotts is a Grammy-winning songwriter and record producer. He has collaborated with the likes of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley.
• Robert Spotts: Robert Spotts is a professional musician and singer. He has played with a number of bands, including The Stylistics, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and Sha Na Na.
• John Spotts: John Spotts is a multi-instrumentalist who has played and recorded with many of the greats in pop, rock, and jazz, including Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, and Chuck Mangione.

Other surnames

Spott