Surname Spurrier - Meaning and Origin
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Spurrier: What does the surname Spurrier mean?
The last name Spurrier is a French occupational name derived from the Middle French word 'espirer', meaning 'one who breathes'. It was likely originally given to someone who was a falconer, trainer of birds of prey or to a maker of leather gloves.
In France, the name Spurrier was typically found along the northern shores of the English Channel. With the beginning of the Hundred Years War, the name spread into England and was found in counties along the southeastern coast. During the 1700s, Spurriers made their way to America and can now be found across the United States
In modern times, the name Spurrier is associated with All-American quarterback Steve Spurrier. He played college football at the University of Florida, during which time he was named two-time All-SEC player, as well as two-time consensus All-American in 1966 and 1967, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1966. Spurrier played in both the NFL and the USFL before transitioning to coaching. He quickly established himself as one of the most successful coaches in NCAA Football, winning a national championship with the Florida Gators in 1996.
Other notable Spurriers include British artist Mitzi Spurrier and the president of South Florida University, Judy Genshaft.
Today, anyone with the last name Spurrier is likely to be associated with the success and hard work of those who came before them. Their name’s origins in falconry and leather-making are indicative of their willingness to conquer any challenge and to strive for excellence.
Order DNA origin analysisSpurrier: Where does the name Spurrier come from?
The last name Spurrier is most common today in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2019 there were over 4,400 individuals with Spurrier as their last name living in the United States. Nearly half of these individuals were located in the state of Texas, with California and Florida being the next two most popular states.
The highest concentration of the last name Spurrier is found in Mississippi. According to the US Census Bureau, the last name Spurrier is in the top 250 of most popular surnames in the state. In Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana, the last name can also be found among the top 500 surnames. It is also common in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
The origin of the last name Spurrier is believed to come from the Old French term Esperrier, which is defined as a “keeper of birds of prey.” It is also believed that the name was adopted by certain individuals who served as watchmen over royal forests, punishing any who would illegally hunt or poach.
Today, the last name Spurrier is still commonly found throughout the United States. It is most prevalent in the southern states, likely due to the historical and cultural ties these states have to the Spurrier and their French origins.
Variations of the surname Spurrier
The surname Spurrier has many variants, spellings, and other surnames that all originate from the same root word.
The most common variations of Spurrier are Spruyers and Sprower. As many surnames did not exist in their current form at the time of their development, many of these variations would have once existed separately. Other spellings may include Spuryer, Spru toggle, Spruel, Sprewell, Sprowles, and Sprules.
The Spurrier surname is most likely derived from the French term "espuree", which means to purify or cleanse. It could have originated as an occupational designation, given to someone who purified something such as wool or metal.
Other surnames of the same root include Spicer, Speers, Spearmon, Spearing, Speer, Spires, Spick, Spirks, Spearman, Nyland, Lally, and Krahel.
Many of these surnames are found throughout Europe in countries such as England, France, and Germany. This indicates that the origin of the surname Spurrier may have come from the Anglo-Norman language or possibly an old French nickname.
In summary, the Spurrier surname has many variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Spruyers and Sprowles, with other variations including Spuryer, Sprewell, Speers, and Krahel. The origin of the surname is likely from the Anglo-Norman language, or an old French nickname derived from the term “espuree” which means to purify or cleanse.
Famous people with the name Spurrier
- Steve Spurrier: Steve Spurrier is an American college football coach and former player. He is best known for his time coaching the University of Florida Gators football team, where he won a national championship in 1996. He also played for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL, and was the head coach for the Washington Redskins.
- CoCo Spurrier: CoCo Spurrier is an American entrepreneur and television personality. She is the daughter of Steve Spurrier, and was most recently the co-host of the Spike TV series Bar Rescue.
- Phil Spurrier: Phil Spurrier is an English football player and manager. He has played for several teams in England, and managed teams such as Leeds United, Watford, and Sheffield Wednesday.
- Jocelyn Spurrier: Jocelyn Spurrier is a French figure skater. She has represented France in several international championships, and is the reigning French national champion in ladies' figure skating.
- Haley Spurrier: Haley Spurrier is a model and actress from the United States. She has had roles in films such as What We Do in the Shadows and Crawl.