Show ContentsSpindle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Bavaria, one of the oldest and largest of the German states, is the birthplace of the Spindle family. After the 12th century, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules. Names derived from occupations were particularly common in this region. Spindle is an occupational surname for maker or user of spindles which is derived from the German word "spindel" of the same meaning.

Early Origins of the Spindle family

The surname Spindle was first found in Franconia, where the name Spindler emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century on, the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation.

Early History of the Spindle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Spindle research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1647, 1722 and 1870 are included under the topic Early Spindle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spindle Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Spindle include Spindler, Spindel, Spindle, Spindeler, Spinder, Spingler, Spinlar and many more.

Early Notables of the Spindle family

Prominent among members of the name Spindle in this period include

  • members of the prominent von Spindler branch of the family, who were raised into the nobility of the Holy Roman Empire in 1647 in reward for their outstanding loyalty and accomplishments

Migration of the Spindle family

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Mary Spindlers, who came to Virginia in 1702; Kasper Spinler sailed to New York in 1709 with his wife and three children; Ulrick Spinder arrived in Pennsylvania in 1739.



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