The surname Spingarn is of Jewish origin and has its roots in Germany. It is derived from the Germanic personal name "Spingar," which may have been a diminutive form of "Spin" or "Spine," meaning "arrow." The name was adopted as a surname by Jewish families during the Middle Ages, often due to conversion or migration. In some cases, the name may also have been an occupational surname for someone who was a maker or seller of arrows. However, it is important to note that last names can have multiple origins and variations, so this is just one possible explanation for the origin of the Spingarn surname.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Spingarn
The meaning and origin of the last name Spingarn
The surname Spingarn is of Jewish origin, primarily found among Ashkenazi Jews. It is a variation of the German-Jewish name Springer, which means "jumper" or "leaper" in German, and was likely given as an occupational name to someone who worked as a messenger or courier. The spelling variation may have arisen due to linguistic adaptations during immigration or transcription errors over time. Notable individuals with the surname Spingarn include Israel Abraham Shapira (also known as Israel Spingarn), a prominent American Zionist leader and President of the American Jewish Congress, and Benjamin Jowett Spingarn, an American physicist who made significant contributions to the study of dielectrics.
Geographical distribution of the last name Spingarn
The surname Spingarn is predominantly found in Jewish communities, with its origins traceable to Germany and Eastern Europe. Historically, significant populations bearing this name can be found in regions that were once part of the German-speaking world, such as Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. The name also has a notable presence among Ashkenazi Jews who emigrated from these areas to the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In America, concentrations of Spingarn families can be found in New York City, particularly on Manhattan's Upper West Side, as well as in other urban centers like Philadelphia and Boston. Today, the surname has also spread to other English-speaking countries, such as Canada, England, Australia, and South Africa, due to migration over the past century.
Variants and spellings of the last name Spingarn
The surname Spingarn has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include Spingarn, Spingharn, Spinagar, Spinghern, and Spengarn. These variations may have originated from errors in transcription or phonetic alterations during immigration. Another variant is Spinage, which is derived from a different root and is unrelated to the Spingarn family lineage. The spelling Spingarn is most commonly associated with a notable American Jewish family of scholars and philanthropists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Isaac Goldberg Spingarn, a prominent member of this family, was an author, bibliophile, and President of the American Jewish Committee.
Famous people with the last name Spingarn
Isaac Goldberg Spingarn (1882-1939) and Arthur M. Schlesinger Sr. (1884-1970), both distinguished scholars, are notable individuals with the surname Spingarn. Isaac Spingarn was an American librarian, poet, and social reformer who served as the Librarian of Congress from 1915 to 1939. He was also a co-founder of the NAACP and a strong advocate for civil rights. Arthur M. Schlesinger Sr., born Arthur Meier Schlesinger Jr., but known professionally as Arthur M. Schlesinger Sr. to avoid confusion with his son, was an American historian and political scientist. He served as a special assistant to President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. Both individuals made significant contributions to their respective fields and left lasting legacies.
Genealogical research on the last name Spingarn
The Spingarn surname is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, believed to have origins in Germany and Poland. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name dates back to the late Middle Ages, with Isaac ben Judah Spingarn appearing in records from the Rhineland region of Germany in the 14th century. The name derives from the German word "Spangen," meaning hook or bend, likely due to a geographical feature or occupational reference.
Notable individuals bearing the surname include Isaac Barnett Spingarn (1843-1916), an American lawyer and diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, and Arthur M. Schlesinger Sr. (1888-1965), a historian who used the pen name "Arthur K. Spingarn" as a tribute to his wife's maiden name. The Spingarn Medal, an annual award given by the NAACP for outstanding contributions to African American life and culture, was named in honor of Isaac Barnett Spingarn.
The Spingarn family immigrated to the United States in the 19th century, with many members settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Today, the name remains relatively uncommon but is found throughout the English-speaking world due to historical migrations and assimilation.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The surname "Spicher" is primarily of German origin. It is a variant of the original German family name "Speicher," which derives from Middle High German 'speha(h)er' meaning 'gran...
The surname Spicka is of German origin and is derived from a number of possible sources. One possibility is that it is a variant of the Middle High German word "Spieke," meaning sp...
The last name "Spicynow" does not appear to have a known origin or meaning in the English language. It is possible that it is a unique or uncommon surname without a clear historica...
The surname Spidalieri is of Italian origin. It is derived from the medieval given name Spidale or Spitalare, which means "hospital worker" in Old Italian. Over time, it evolved in...
The surname "Spiegelman" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "spiegel," which means mirror, and "mann," meaning man or servant. Therefore, the surna...
The surname "Spielberg" is of German origin. It derives from various place names in Germany, such as "Speyerberg" and "Specerberc", which are derived from the Old High German "spī...
The surname "Spielmann" is primarily of German and Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It translates to "musician" or "player of an instrument" in German, derived from the Middle High German ...
The last name Spier is of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German word "spiar," which means "spear." This surname was often given to someone who was a skilled spearma...
The surname Spiers is of English origin, derived from various places named "Spiers" in England. These locations are mainly found in the counties of Northumberland and Durham.
The ...
The origin of the last name "Spies" is German. It is derived from the Middle High German word "spie," meaning a "stalk" or "stem." It was likely an occupational surname originally,...
The surname Spigoti is of Italian origin. It is believed to be a locational surname derived from a place name in Italy. However, the specific origin and meaning of the surname Spig...
The last name "Spiliadi" originates from Greece. It is derived from the Greek word "spilia," meaning "caves." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near caves or had...
The surname "Spimpolo" has Italian origins. It is believed to be of Southern Italian descent, specifically from the region of Calabria. The exact meaning or history of the name is ...
The last name "Spina" has Italian origins. It is derived from the Italian word "spina," meaning "thorn" or "spine." This surname likely originated as a nickname for someone who liv...
The surname "Spinas" is of Italian origin. It derives from a nickname for someone with a spiny or prickly personality, or perhaps originally denoted someone who was a specialist in...
