Show ContentsSparlin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Sparlin is a ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from the baptismal name for the son of Spirling, which was an ancient Old English personal name. After the Norman Conquest, the Old English naming system gradually dissolved. Old English names became less common and were replaced by popular continental European names. The earliest surnames in England were found shortly after the Norman Conquest and are of Norman French rather than native English origins.

Early Origins of the Sparlin family

The surname Sparlin was first found in Hertfordshire where they held a family seat from ancient times, some say long before the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Sparlin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sparlin research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1809 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Sparlin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sparlin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sparling, Sparlin, Sperling, Spurling and others.

Early Notables of the Sparlin family

More information is included under the topic Early Sparlin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Sparlin family to Ireland

Some of the Sparlin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


West Indies Sparlin migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 1
Sparlin Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Sparlin, who settled in Barbados in 1635
  • Mr. Thomas Sparlin, (b. 1616), aged 19, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 2


The Sparlin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtutis honor praemium
Motto Translation: Honor is the prize of valor.


  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  2. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm


Houseofnames.com on Facebook