Surname Sperring - Meaning and Origin
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Sperring: What does the surname Sperring mean?
The last name Sperring is of German or Dutch origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word ‘sperren’, which means ‘to bar’ or ‘close off’. Sperring is a topographic surname derived from a physical location or natural feature, such as a mountain or hilltop. It is likely that the first bearers of this name were living near a high hill whose rocky outcrop hindered movement by blocking roads and paths.
The Sperring family is known to have lived in many parts of Germany, especially in the northern region of the country. They have also been documented in England from the 17th century onwards. Bearers of this surname were noted for their loyalty and sense of honor, making them popular among the upper classes.
This surname has also spread to many other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and France. It was brought to these countries by immigrants from Germany and the Netherlands. Today, there are many people who can trace their roots back to the original bearers of the Sperring surname. Those with this surname are proud to wear a name that brings honor, loyalty and a hint of history.
Order DNA origin analysisSperring: Where does the name Sperring come from?
The surname Sperring is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. While most often associated with those from Yorkshire and Cheshire, the Sperring name can also be found in Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, and other English counties. It is believed that the name was brought to Britain by Norman settlers in the 11th century, where it has remained since.
In modern times, the Sperring name can be found in both the United Kingdom and Australia, with a particularly large concentration of people with that name found in the state of Victoria. In fact, there are more individuals with the surname Sperring living in Australia today than in the United Kingdom.
The United States is also home to some members of the Sperring family, most of whom can trace their ancestry back to England at some point in their family tree. As of the last census, roughly 2,000 Americans had the surname Sperring.
While the Sperring surname is not an overwhelmingly common name, it still lives on in many families today, who may be surprised to learn of its ancient roots. The Sperring family can now be found living all around the world, with a unique history connecting them to their distant past.
Variations of the surname Sperring
The surname Sperring is believed to have originated from the Anglo-Saxon culture in early Medieval England. One possible origin is that the name could have arisen from a place-name in north-west England, specifically ‘Spayring’, which is derived from an old Anglo-Saxon term meaning ‘clearing in a clump of trees’. As a result, various variants of the same origin may exist now, for the Sperring family name.
Variant spellings of Sperring include, but are not limited to, Sperrane, Spearin, Sparin, Spering, Sparrin, Spiering, Spirer, Spearring, and Spearrin.
Slightly different surnames with the same origin are possible too; in some parts of England, there may be other derivatives such as: Sperrynge, Spearinge, Speyrange, Spering, Spyringe, Speringe, Springe, Sparringe, Sparninge, and Sparrin.
There are several anglicized versions of Sperring that have evolved, these include Speringe, Spiring, Sparing, Spencing, and Spunce. In some cases, Sperring and its variants may have become transformed into other names, such as: Spearing, Spring, Spriggs, and Spreadbury.
Although the origin is somewhat disputed, it is believed that the family name Sperring could have also developed as an occupational name, for a sailor who made spars and rings. In this case, some branches of the family may have used ‘Ring’ or ‘Ringer’ as a nick-name, or variant spelling of their name.
So, in total, there are a range of spellings and surnames that possibly share the same origin as Sperring. It’s possible that the spelling of the family name has adapted over the years and, depending on its geographical location, may have taken on different forms.
Famous people with the name Sperring
- Jacinta Sperring: Jacinta Sperring is an Australian journalist, author, television presenter and radio presenter. She is well known for her work with ABC television and her regular broadcast role with ABC Melbourne.
- Gail Sperring: Gail Sperring is an American author, known for her books on romance and paranormal suspense. She began writing fiction in 1985, publishing several books with Scholastic.
- Ella Sperring: Ella Sperring is an Australian child actor known for her role as Sam on the ABC television show Play School. She has also featured in The Family Law and Going Places.
- George Sperring: George Sperring is an English actor, writer, and director from London. He has staged his own productions, and his credits include the television series Little Britain and Beauty and the Beast.
- Sophie Sperring: Sophie Sperring is an English actress, singer, and songwriter from London. She has performed in musicals, as well as starred in the long-running soap opera Hollyoaks.
- Michael Sperring: Michael Sperring is a British comedy writer and producer. He has been behind much of the writing and production of The Inbetweeners, Little Britain, and Fresh Meat.
- Stephen Sperring: Stephen Sperring is a British entrepreneur and philanthropist from London. He is well known for founding the Global Corporate Venturing and Investment Network.
- Roy Sperring: Roy Sperring is an American film and television actor. He has had roles on shows like Big Love and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as well as the award-winning film The Newsroom.