Surname Spang - Meaning and Origin
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Spang: What does the surname Spang mean?
The last name Spang is of German origin and is derived from the German word 'Span', which implies something that is spread or distributed, often referring to land, food, or money. In particular, this surname may refer to someone who had control over an area, such as a large landowner or magistrate, or for someone who acquired wealth through trade.
The Spang surname can be found in various parts of Germany, including East Prussia, and has undergone changes in spelling throughout history. In some cases, it has been recorded as Spangen, Spahn, or Spangler. It was first used by a family who lived in what is now Aachen in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany during the Middle Ages.
In America, the Spang family is most commonly found in states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Although the surname could already be found in the country by the mid-1800s, its most significant influx came during the German immigration wave of the late 19th century. Some people bearing this name were involved in agricultural production and some joining the military, such as in the Revolutionary War. Over the years the Spang family has produced quite a few prominent people including artists, actors, and politicians.
In short, the surname Spang has German roots and is associated with wealth, authority, or land ownership. It has immense history behind it and can be found in many major cities across the US today.
Order DNA origin analysisSpang: Where does the name Spang come from?
The last name Spang is found primarily in Germany today. While there are some Spangs living in other countries in Europe, North America, and South America, the majority of the Spangs in the world are living in Germany.
In Germany, Spang is a relatively common surname. It is most heavily concentrated in the state of Hessen. In Breuberg, a small town in Hessen, it is the most commonly found last name. This is likely because the town was founded by a family named Spang in the 15th century.
Spang is also well represented throughout northern and central Germany. It is common in many major cities such as Cologne, Munich, Dusseldorf, and Berlin. In these cities, the Spang name is typically found among the wealthy merchant class and in university cultured.
In addition to Germany, Spang can be found in select pockets of Switzerland, the Netherlands, and France. The number of Spangs in these countries is much smaller than in Germany, but they often tend to have their own distinct cultural backgrounds that differ from Germany to some extent.
Overall, the last name Spang is most often found in Germany today. Although it is scattered around other parts of Europe, North America, and South America, Germany is still the primary nation where it is concentrated.
Variations of the surname Spang
The surname Spang is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "spanc". It is most common to find the surname spelled as Spang, but there are also other variations that exist such as Spenge, Spange, and Spank.
The variant spellings of Spang are also found in other countries, such as Sweden where it is spelled Spangen or Spangn. In Norway it is spelled Spangen and Spang, while in Hungary it is spelled Spangl.
There are a number of surnames related to Spang, such as Spangh, Speng, Spanc, and Spann. These are likely derived from the same Germanic root but have been adapted to sound more phonetically correct in different languages.
In addition to the variant spellings of the surname, there are also some alternate surnames related to Spang. These include Spank, Speck, Speere, Speth, and Spear. These variations may have come about over time as families migrated or changed nationalities.
The surname Spang is often associated with royalty, particularly in Germany where it is seen as having descended from a line of noble families. It has also been used as an adopted name, often chosen to honor a branch of the family that had achieved great success or prominence.
Finally, there are hyphenated variations of the surname Spang that exist, such as Spang-Speng, Spang-Spange, and Spang-Spangen. These variations may have been adopted either as family names, or as surnames belonging to separating branches of the family.
Famous people with the name Spang
- Gaby Spang: Former German actress and filmmaker.
- Amalia Spang: Actress and opera singer from Germany.
- Ulrike Spang-Hanssen: Danish-born New Zealand architect and author.
- Bonnie Spangler: American costume designer, dancer, and acting coach.
- Stan Spangler: Professional soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
- R. L. Spangler: American fiction author of frontier and western genres.
- K. R. Spangler: Author and publisher from Ohio.
- John Spangler: Republican politician and former Mayor of Annville, Pennsylvania.
- Fran Spangler: American professional golfer who won the 1948 U.S. Women's Amateur title.
- Will Spangler: American actor known for his roles in The Fosters and ScreemQueens.