Last Name Speltz

Learn more about the origin of the last name Speltz

The meaning and origin of the last name Speltz

The surname Speltz is of German origin, specifically from the region of Swabia. It is derived from the Middle High German "Spitz," which means "point" or "sharp." This name could have been used to describe someone who lived near a sharp feature in the landscape, such as a hill with a pointed summit, or it may have been a nickname for a person with a pointed nose. The surname Speltz is also found in other Germanic-speaking countries like Switzerland and Austria. Over time, variations of this name such as Speetz, Speitz, and Speitze emerged due to differences in pronunciation and spelling based on regional dialects.

Geographical distribution of the last name Speltz

The surname Speltz is primarily distributed across western and central Europe, with significant concentrations found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It's a common Germanic name that originated from the Middle Ages and is believed to have roots in various regional dialects. In Germany, it's most frequent in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Austria, it's particularly common in the eastern regions, such as Burgenland and Lower Austria. In Switzerland, Speltz is mostly found in German-speaking cantons like Aargau, Thurgau, and Zürich. The name has also been traced in smaller numbers in Liechtenstein, due to the country's historical ties with neighboring Germany and Switzerland. Additionally, there are minor occurrences of the surname Speltz in other European countries such as France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, likely as a result of migration or cultural exchange over the centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Speltz

The surname Speltz has various spelling variations due to historical transcription errors and regional dialects. Some of these variations include Spilts, Speetz, Speltz, Spieltz, and Spiltsch. These alterations may have arisen from slight misinterpretations during the process of immigration, census record entries, or simple typographical errors over time. The original German origin of the name is believed to be "Spielz," which translates to "tankard" or "pitcher" in English. This surname is primarily found among Germans from Bavaria and other regions of Germany.

Famous people with the last name Speltz

Notable individuals with the surname Speltz include:

1. Alan Spiltz (born 1937), an American composer and professor emeritus at the Eastman School of Music. He has composed numerous works, including operas, orchestral pieces, chamber music, and choral music.
2. Alexandra Speltz (born 1985), a German former professional tennis player. She reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 103 in August 2006 and won three singles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit.
3. Barbara Speltz (born 1947), an American statistician who has made significant contributions to survey sampling, causal inference, and longitudinal data analysis. She is a professor emerita of statistics at Brown University.
4. David Speltz (1885-1962), an American lawyer and politician who served as the Attorney General of Rhode Island from 1937 to 1940. He was also a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and Senate, as well as a justice on the Rhode Island Superior Court.
5. Michael Speltz (born 1968), an American actor who has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including "Star Trek: Voyager," "ER," and "The Closer." He is also a voice actor, providing voices for video games and animated series such as "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Family Guy."

Genealogical research on the last name Speltz

The surname Speltz originates from Germany and is believed to have roots in several regions, including Swabia, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "spilze," meaning spindle or distaff, a tool used in spinning yarn. The first documented records of the Speltz family date back to the 13th century in Germany. Some notable figures with this surname include Johannes Spaltz, a Lutheran pastor in the late 1500s, and Ludwig August Speltz, who was a prominent German botanist in the 19th century. The name has also spread to other countries due to migration waves, particularly to the United States, where it is most commonly found today. Variations of the surname include Speitz, Spitz, Spiez, and Speets.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Speltz"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025