Surname Spruce - Meaning and Origin
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Spruce: What does the surname Spruce mean?
The last name Spruce is of English origin and it is derived from an Old English word 'spruse'. In Middle English, "spruse" came to be used as a noun for any conifer tree, and the surname was likely adopted as a nickname for someone with a sprightly, lively temperament or for someone who lived near a spruce tree.
The word ‘spruse’ itself likely derives from an Old French word, ‘desprousser’, which means to shake off or surgically amputate, such as a spruce tree shaking off old branches, twigs and needles. It’s likely that the surname Spruce came to represent someone who could not be shaken from a purpose, goal or task, and could endure and persevere through hardship.
Therefore, those with the last name Spruce carry inspiration and strength, as well as grace and effortlessness, in their name. It is a reminder of determination and hard work in the face of opposition, as well as the idea of shaking off what is uncomfortable and unneeded in order thrive and to grow.
Order DNA origin analysisSpruce: Where does the name Spruce come from?
The last name Spruce is most commonly found in the United States, according to Ancestry.com. The website shows that in 2019, it was found most frequently in the midwestern states of Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas. There is also a small but noticeable distribution of this surname in other parts of the world, such as parts of Northern Europe, Australia, and South Africa.
The origin of this surname is English, though it is speculated to also have roots in Nazi Germany and England. It is a surname derived from the word "spruce" which describes the type of tree found in Britain. It can be assumed that the name was given to those who owned a spruce forest or worked in the timber industry.
The earliest records of the surname in the United States date back to the mid-to-late 1800s, when the majority of the population was made up of mostly British settlers and immigrants. It can be seen that the name has stayed fairly consistent since then, with a gradual increase in frequency throughout the twentieth century.
It is likely that as the United States continues to experience an influx of different cultural influences, the surname Spruce will likewise be more widespread in the decades to come.
Variations of the surname Spruce
The surname Spruce, or Sprusse, is derived from the Middle English word 'spruse', meaning 'dapper'. It is an occupational name for someone who was meticulous in their work or their appearance. Spruce is often found as a given name as well as a surname.
Variants of the Spruce surname include: Sprusz, Spryce, Sprusse, Sproose, Sproas, Sprosso, Spruso, Spruci and Spruss. Spellings which have evolved from the surname over time include: Spruse, Spruice, Spruis, Sprouce and Sprouse.
The surname Spruce is common in most English-speaking countries, particularly Great Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It also has several regional variations which derive from different branches of the Spruce family, such as Sproese, which is found in the Netherlands, and Sprusen, which is popular in Germany.
Surnames of the same origin are also found in numerous other European countries, including Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, Greece and Spain. They are usually written in their respective language versions, such as Spruce and Sprucel or Sprusen and Spruceler in German.
Surnames derived from Spruce include: Sprees, Sprissler, Sprosser, Sprockel, Sprawls, Sprigg, Spreadbury and Springer. Although these surnames are derived from the same Middle English origin, their modern-day spellings can vary substantially.
Famous people with the name Spruce
- Zach Spruce: American football player
- Chloe Spruce: British actress
- Katelyn Spruce: wildlife photographer
- Dr. Michael Spruce: English physician
- Dr. Craig Spruce: British professor of human physiology
- Sarah Spruce: American singer/songwriter
- Marcus Spruce: British-born Hollywood film director
- Kevin Spruce: American actor
- Tara Spruce: fitness instructor
- Emily Spruce: Canadian artist