Surname Späthling - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Späthling: What does the surname Späthling mean?
The last name Späthling is of German origin, most commonly found in the regions of Brandenburg and Silesia. Its literal translation is "Twigling" or "Swordling" and is likely derived from the Middle High German word "speht," meaning to skewer or pierce something with a sword or spear. Additionally, the word "ling," which appears in many German last names, works to join two words and can signify a person who comes from a specified place.
The earliest known use of the Späthling name dates back to the late 16th century in the regions of Brandenburg and Silesia. Its original spelling was Spethling, or Spehtling, before slowly transitioning to its modern spelling in the early 19th century.
The Späthling surname has served as an occupational name for those employed as bodyguards or as warriors in battle. It also frequently appeared in religious contexts, as the Spehtling family often served as protectors of church property.
Today, the Späthling name has spread throughout Germany and across the world. In the United States, the name has become particularly popular in the southeastern states and is found in large numbers in areas like Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Order DNA origin analysisSpäthling: Where does the name Späthling come from?
The last name Späthling is mainly found in Germany today. It is considered a fairly uncommon name, particularly in areas outside of Germany.
Späthling is a German surname of Slavic origin. It was historically popular in East and Central Germany, specifically Silesia, Hesse, and Prussia. Today, it is mainly found in the states of Bavaria, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. The name may also be found in the United States, with many people of German ancestry who have the name living in the Midwest states of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
The meaning of the name Späthling is related to sparrows, and it is thought to have originally arisen in connection with the bird's tragic and short life span. It is sometimes spelled Spatheling, Spähtling, or Spätlein.
The name Späthling may be found in records of German nobility, with some prominent figures, such as Johann Ernst Späthling, Bishop of Breslau, being of the same surname.
The name Späthling may be encountered in more than just Germany though, as individuals of German ancestry may have the name outside of Germany, particularly in areas of settlement. Therefore, it is possible that the surname may be found in places such as South America, Australia, South Africa, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Späthling
The surname Späthling is rooted in the German language and can have various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these spellings include Späthling, Spearthling, Spehrtling, Spehrl, Spehrling, Spiegel, Speigel, Spiegelmann, Speigelmann, and Spigelman. Other spellings are Spijkel, Spijker, and Spijkers. Some variants of this surname include Spethling, Spothling, Speethling, Spethlin, and Spedling.
Surnames of a similar origin may include Spath, Spatt, Spathe, Spathmann, Specht, Speeck, Spöttgen, Spack, Spacke, Spackman, Spackmann, Spaller, Spieler, Speller, Sperenberg, and Spierling. Spat, Speer, Sping, Spissel, Spielmann, and Sprewitz can also be included in this list.
The root of this surname is the Middle High German word "sper" which meant dart and was used as a professional name for a maker of darts. It is theorized that this word later evolved into the surname following the pattern of a variety of other surnames created in the Middle Ages. Some examples would be Katz (cat) or Kocher (cook).
Given the variants and spellings, it is not difficult to understand how the same surname can develop different versions. For example, Späthling may have been changed to Spethlin and Spehrling altered to Speer. It appears as though these spellings were created gradually over time, as a result of different local pronunciations and dialects. As a result, a variety of spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin can exist.
Famous people with the name Späthling
- Gabriel Späthling, former professional footballer from Germany.
- Jürgen Späthling, retired football player from Germany.
- Freddy Späthling, retired professional football player from Germany.
- Eberhard Späthling, former football player from Germany.
- Jörg Späthling, former football player from Germany.
- Marcel Späthling, retired football player from Germany.
- Nicole Späthling, German professional beach volleyball player.
- Heinke Späthling, German aerobatic pilot and stuntman.
- Paul Späthling, former professional football player from Germany.
- Thomas Späthling, former football player and coach from Germany.
- Caroline Späthling, sailor from Germany.
- Toni Späthling, German supercross rider.
- Philipp Späthling, German physicist and astronomer.
- Guenter Späthling, former competitive figure skater from Germany.
- Wilhelm Späthling, German Olympic fencer.
- Katharina Späthling, German Paralympic swimmer.