Surname Sproat - Meaning and Origin
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Sproat: What does the surname Sproat mean?
The last name Sproat is believed to be of Scottish origin, derived from the Old English word 'sprote,' meaning 'little sprout.' 'Sprote' was altered to 'Spraut' and might be associated with spring, suggesting someone looking forward to the new season with enthusiasm. It is also believed to derive from the Old Norse, which refers to someone who was a 'sprota', which can be translated as 'sprout.' Therefore, the surname suggests someone who is eager, lively, and outgoing, the kind of person who enjoys starting new projects or seizing on opportunities.
The Sproat family likely prospered in Scotland and England, where they settled in the Middle Ages. One branch of the family flourished in Aberdeenshire and became prominent in the local area. They also moved to Ireland, where some are found in County Cork. In the 1800s, John Sproat emigrated to Pennsylvania, USA, and founded a prosperous line of descendants that spread to other parts of the country.
Today, the Sproat name can be found in many countries around the world, including Canada, Australia, and the United States. It is thought that there are now more than 1000 individuals, and many share an enthusiasm for the outdoors, history, and intellectual pursuits, suggesting that the surname continues to reflect the energy and spirit of its original bearer.
Order DNA origin analysisSproat: Where does the name Sproat come from?
The last name Sproat is most commonly found in areas of Great Britain, particularly in Northern England. Records show that the surname first appears in Yorkshire in the 13th century. It is also found in Scotland and Ireland, as well as in the United States, especially in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
In the 1841 UK Census, most of the individuals with the name Sproat lived in the Northeast of England and in Scotland. In Pennsylvania, there were more than 120 people with the name Sproat in the 1880 census. By 1902, the name was among the 25 most common surnames in Scotland.
Today, the name Sproat can still be found in large numbers in the UK, particularly in areas such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Scotland. The highest concentration is in Scotland, where nearly 800 people have the name. The name is also more common in the North West of England and in the Midlands than in other parts of the UK.
In the United States, the name is largely centered in states such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey, though it can also be found in states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Illinois. As a whole, the surname is not as common in the United States as it is in the UK, though it is still relatively easy to find.
Variations of the surname Sproat
The surname Sproat is an old Scottish name, derived from the Old French word 'esprit' meaning 'spirit' or 'mind'. It is also spelled Sprott and Sprot, as well as variants such as Sprout, Sprowt, Sprat, Sprait, Sprotte and Sproete.
Sproat is a popular Scottish surname typically found in the areas of the Highlands and Islands, south-west Scotland and Ayrshire. Sproat families can also be found elsewhere in the UK, in Ireland and in North America.
Variations of the surname, such as Sprott and Sprot, are also found in different parts of the world, and are common in Scotland, Ireland and the US. In some countries, anglicised versions of the surname such as Sprout, Sprowt and Sprat are more commonly found.
In Scotland, variations of the surname such as Sproit or Sproote are more common. Spero or Sperow is a rare variation found in the US.
In North America, variations on the surname such as Sprit and Spratt are also known. Other variants such as Sprooth or Sproutt have obviously been transformed due to Americanisation, whilst Sprote and Sproatte are also found.
In Ireland, variants such as Sproat and Sprotte are common, and with the arrival of immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries, more variants are becoming increasingly common. Spreite and Sprawte are both rare but distinct variations of the surname in Ireland.
In summary, the surname Sproat, with its many variants and spellings, is found in many parts of the world, particularly in Scottish and Irish families.
Famous people with the name Sproat
- Josh Sproat, British actor
- Mike Sproat, British long-distance runner
- John Lewis Sproat, American professor of botany at the University of Michigan
- Edward Sproat, American Major League Baseball player
- John Sproat, Canadian poet
- David Sproat, Bishop of St Asaph
- Julian Sproat, Canadian professional hockey player
- Mark Sproat, Canadian entrepreneur and investor
- Ruth Sproat, American university professor and store owner
- Chris Sproat, American professional basketball player and coach