Surname Speaks - Meaning and Origin

Speaks: What does the surname Speaks mean?

The surname Speaks is of English origin, derived from a Middle English nickname or occupational name. It can be traced back to the Old English word "specan," meaning "to speak." This name was often given to town criers, spokespeople, interpreters, or professional story-tellers, thus becoming an occupational surname. Over the centuries, many different spellings of the name appeared, including Speke, Speach, Speack, Speake and others. The surname may also have been a nickname for someone who was noted for their eloquence or perhaps for having a loud voice. Like many old surnames, the exact origin and meaning can vary based on geographical regions and historical contexts. Today, people with surname Speaks can be found in many English-speaking countries around the world.

Speaks: Where does the name Speaks come from?

The last name Speaks is most commonly found today in areas of the United States with a large number of people with British or Irish heritage, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the US. It is particularly frequent in areas of the United States with a higher concentration of people with these particular backgrounds, such as New England, Appalachia, and the US South.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to 12th Century England. The name can be found in court documents of the time and it is believed to originate from a small hamlet in the county of Shropshire. The Speaks spelling of the name is a fairly uncommon variant, and can also be found spelled as Speak, Speck, Speke, Speakes, and Speckes.

Speaks is a very old surname, but its frequency has increased in the United States since the mid-1800s with waves of immigrants coming in from England, Ireland, and Canada. As of 2019, Speaks was ranked the 6,063rd most common surname in the United States. It is most common in North Carolina, Indiana, and Pennsylvania according to World Names Public Profiler.

Although the name is not one of the most common family names in modern society, its long history is inspiring to those who bear it today, a reminder of the family’s link to their British and Irish ancestors.

Variations of the surname Speaks

Speaks is an English surname that originates from Old English origin. Other variants, spellings, and surnames that share the same origin include Speak, Spake, Spick, Speck, Speight, Speight, Speke, and Speki.

Speak is an extremely old spelling of Speaks which is believed to have been used since the 12th century. It was mainly used in the area of Kent before the initial migration of the Normans.

The spelling Speke was used as a derivative surname which most likely came from a place name derived from the Old English word, “speca”, which translated to “water meadow”. It is thought that those who held the name Speke may have been associated with this meadow in some way.

The surname Spick was derived from the Old English “spicce” which referred to someone who harvested or sold spices. It is believed to have been used as an occupational surname to indicate someone's trade.

The name Speck was derived from the Middle English word “speke” which had a similar meaning.

Speight and Spight are both derived from the Old English word, “speht”, which was used to refer to an area of land. It is thought that Speight was used as an occupational surname to indicate someone who was a "speht" worker.

Speki is an Old Norse spelling of the name and originates from an Old Norse word “spek", which translates to “lump”. It is believed to have been used as an occupational name to indicate someone who harvested or sold lumps of sugar-cane.

Famous people with the name Speaks

• Corey Speaks: Professional basketball player.
• Daniela Speaks: Actress, dancer, and choreographer.
• Will Speaks: Professional football player.
• Tim Speaks: Former Major League Baseball shortstop and actor.
• Gareth Speaks: Actor and director.
• Phyllis Speaks: Singer and songwriter.
• Sara Speaks: Actress and singer.
• Josef Speaks: Artist and producer.
• Shandy Speaks: Actor and author.
• Clay Speaks: Professional golfer.
• Rachel Speaks: Documentary filmmaker.
• Andrew Speaks: Music producer.
• Cody Speaks: Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter.
• Ty Speaks: Singer and songwriter.
• Evelyn Speaks: TV host and travel expert.
• Stan Speaks: Grammy-award winning songwriter and producer.
• Russell Speaks: Actor and TV host.
• Cindy Speaks: Jazz/r&b singer.
• Damien Speaks: Poet and educator.
• Rachael Speaks: Activist and philanthropist.

Other surnames

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