Surname Sprague - Meaning and Origin

Unexpected Twists and Turns: A Surprising Exploration into the Origins of the Sprague Surname

Embracing the new technology of iGENEA DNA testing, I embarked on a journey through the mists of time in search of the roots of my surname, Sprague. While I was prepared for some surprises, I certainly didn't expect the striking discoveries that lay waiting on that incredible path.

X. Sprague

Sprague: What does the surname Sprague mean?

The last name Sprague is of English origin and is derived from the Old Norse term "Sprake," which means "lively" or "vivacious." Some sources also relate it to the Middle High German word "sprac," which refers to a salmon or sprat, thus suggesting that the name bearers might have been involved in fishing or selling fish. The surname first emerged in the medieval period in Britain and is mainly found in the regions of Devon, Dorset, and Wiltshire. Over the centuries, it became quite common due to migration, acquiring several spelling variants such as Sprake, Sprag, Spragg, Spriggs, and more. Notable people with this surname include influential figures in academia, literature, military, and politics. The coat of arms for the Sprague family traditionally includes a gold lion on a red background, demonstrating qualities of courage, nobility, royalty, strength, stateliness, and valor.

Sprague: Where does the name Sprague come from?

The last name Sprague is most commonly found in the United States today. The name is of English origin, and it is estimated that there are over 25,000 individuals with the surname in the United States today.

It is most prevalent in the northern states of Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. When looking at counties, the Sprague surname is most common in Winnebago County, Wisconsin which has 441 individuals with that surname. Additionally, Bristol County in Massachusetts, Windham County in Vermont, and Strafford County in New Hampshire also have large numbers of individuals with the surname Sprague.

Outside of the United States, Canada is another country where the surname Sprague is quite common. Specifically, in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia the name is found. Additionally, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand also have individuals with the last name Sprague living in them.

Overall, the last name Sprague is still relatively common in English-speaking countries today. One of the oldest recordings of this surname was actually in 1230, when William Sprague was recorded on the Hundred Rolls of Wiltshire, England.

Variations of the surname Sprague

The surname Sprague has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Spraque, with other variants including Spragg, Spragge, Spraig, Spyraig, Sprechge, and Spreckge.

This is a patronymic surname, which is derived from the prefix ‘sprēc’, an Old English name which means ‘speech’. This spelling variation of the surname was used to refer to someone who was thought to have a gift of speech. Alternatively, this surname could also be from an Old English place name which meant ‘sparse wood’ or ‘clearing’.

In some instances, the surname Sprague was used to refer to someone who had moved from one place to another. This individual could be referred to as someone who was ‘oft-travelled’ or a ‘stranger’. In various parts of the United States, the surname Sprague is commonly spelled as Spragge, which is probably from an old variant of the name. Another variant, Spreage, is commonly found in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The surname Sprague is also sometimes found with a double ‘g’ spellings as Spragg or Spyraig. In addition, it can sometimes be found in the form of Spraig or Sprege. Moreover, the surnames Spreckge and Sprechge can also be regarded as variants of the surname Sprague.

Overall, there are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sprague. These include Spraque, Spragg, Spragge, Spraig, Spyraig, Sprechge, Spreckge, Spragge, Spreage, Spyraig, Spraig, and Sprege.

Famous people with the name Sprague

• Benjamin Sprague: second lieutenant of the U.S. Army during the Spanish–American War
• Chad Sprague: former professional American football player in the National Football League
• Charles Sprague: former United States Congressman from Oregon
• Dave Sprague: professional wrestler
• Edward Sprague: American inventor, physicist, electrical engineer and railroad executive
• Henry Sprague: former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Lee Sprague: actor who has performed on television, film and in plays
• Richard Sprague: American Composer and Player Piano Roll Craftsman
• Robert Sprague: physicist, inventor, and early pioneer in electrical engineering, recipient of the IEEE Edison Medal in 1940
• Roxana Sprague: former American Olympic swimmer
• Windham Sprague: professional wrestler in the World Wide Wrestling Federation

Other surnames

SpragSprageSpraggSpraggeSpragginsSpraggsSpraggueSprags