Surname Spanier - Meaning and Origin
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Spanier: What does the surname Spanier mean?
The last name Spanier is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the Old German word "span," meaning "magpie." The word "spanier" is often translated in English to mean "peddler," "tradesman," or "merchant."
The surname can also be traced to a Latin source, "spanarius", which was derived from the Latin word "spanium", meaning "a wide piece of fabric with slits in it for carrying items". Thus, the Spanier surname could also be interpreted to mean "maker of goods or a seller".
It is likely that the original persons who adopted and spread the Spanier name were peddlers or traders as they traveled across Europe during the Middle Ages. As they journeyed, they spread their unique surname, and it became particularly popular in Germany and other German-speaking countries.
The Spanier name can also be found in the Polish language, where it is pronounced as "spanure," meaning "one who carries goods of value." The Spanier surname remains popular in parts of Europe such as Germany, Austria, and Poland.
It is also commonly found in America, with those bearing the name having likely arrived in the country at some point in time during the 19th century. The Spanier surname is now a widespread and recognizable name.
Order DNA origin analysisSpanier: Where does the name Spanier come from?
The last name Spanier is a German surname, particularly common in the former German states of Prussia and Bavaria. It has also been found in Austria, as well as in the Czech Republic, the United States and Canada.
Today, Spanier remains most common in much of Germany, with nearly 3,000 recorded citizens bearing the name. It is also present in the United States; the mostly highly populated area being the state of Pennsylvania. In 1900, the U. S. government recorded that there were 1080 Spanier's living in Pennsylvania. That number has since increased to an estimated 32,000 Americans with the last name Spanier; with their largest concentration in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The Czech Republic is the country with the second largest Spanier population, with more than 2000 citizens living there. Austria comes in third with more than 800 living there. Canada has the fourth highest concentration with more than 500 citizens with the surname Spanier living in its three provinces.
Given its German origin, it is no surprise that the surname Spanier is most widespread throughout Germany, with many descendants of the original Prussian and Bavarian settlers still bearing the name. But its presence in the North American continent has grown considerably over the past century, providing a unique cultural connection between North American and German customs and beliefs.
Variations of the surname Spanier
The surname Spanier is a variation of the surname Spano. Spanier is typically used as an Americanized version of Concepción Pastor y Spano, which is a Spanish variation of Spano. Spanier is typically also associated with Jewish surname Spahn or Spancher, as Spanier has often been used as a variant spelling of it.
The main variants for Spanier include Spano, Spahn, and Spancher.
Spano is the Italian and Spanish form of the surname, derived from the Latin term "spannum", meaning "span or tape". It may also be an occupational name derived from "panno", referring to a cloth weaver or maker.
Spahn is a German surname commonly used in the Jewish community, possibly occupational, referring to the act of spinning wool. Its variants include Spehn, Speng, Sphehn, and Spohn, as well as Span.
Spancher is another variant of Spanier, which is sometimes seen in Jewish records and documents. It may be an Americanized spelling of the German, Yiddish and Hebrew surnames "Spander" or "Spandor", which are derived from the word "spenden", meaning "to donate". The surnames Spander and Spandor themselves have several variations, including Spandau, Spandl, Spandt, and Spandter.
In sum, the variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Spanier include Spano, Spahn, Spancher, Spehn, Speng, Sphehn, Spohn, Span, Spander, Spandor, Spandau, Spandl, Spandt, and Spandter.
Famous people with the name Spanier
- Gary Spanier: American political scientist and former President of Pennsylvania State University
- Robert Spanier: American stand-up comedian and comedy writer
- Craig Spanier: American politician and former Majority Leader of the Iowa Senate
- Bob Spanier: American television producer
- Mark Spanier: American entrepreneur and former Chief Executive Officer of WMS Industries
- Joseph Spanier: German astronomer and priest
- Ralf Spanier: German former association football goalkeeper
- Sarah Spanier: American film editor
- Fannie Spanier: American former president of United Jewish Appeal
- George Spanier: American football player and coach