Speyer History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe Speyer surname comes from the Old English word "spere," meaning "spear." It may have originally been a nickname for a tall skinny person, or perhaps for a hunter skilled at using the spear. Alternatively, the could have been used for a "watchman or lookout man." 1 2 3 Another source notes: "Spere, to ask, to inquire; a word used formerly in Scotland and the north of Ireland." 4 Early Origins of the Speyer familyThe surname Speyer was first found in Renfrewshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rinn Friù), a historic county of Scotland, today encompassing the Council Areas of Renfrew, East Renfrewshire, and Iverclyde, in the Strathclyde region of southwestern Scotland. Further to the south in Yorkshire, England, the first record of the family was found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 when Robertas Spyer was listed there at that time. 2 By the 16th century, Richard Spyre was listed as attending Oxford University in 1515; and George Speris was listed in Stirling, Scotland in 1548. 3 Early History of the Speyer familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Speyer research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1417, 1475, 1626, 1664, 1807, 1846, 1869, 1884 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Speyer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Speyer Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Speir, Spier, Spears, Speirs, Spiers, Speer, Speers, Spere, Speres, Spire, Spires, Speyer, Speier, Speery and many more. Early Notables of the Speyer familyNotable amongst the family at this time was Thomas Speir of Edinburgh, a merchant, 1626. Alexander Spiers (1807-1869), the English lexicographer, was born at Gosport in Hampshire in 1807. He studied in England, in Germany, and in Paris and graduated doctor of philosophy at Leipzig. For fourteen... Migration of the Speyer family to IrelandSome of the Speyer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Speyer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Speyer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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