Show ContentsSpraggon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Spraggon family

The surname Spraggon was first found in London where one of the first records of the family appeared in the Latin form of the name as Sprachelingus in the Pipe Rolls of 1130. A few years later in Kent, the family was again listed in in the Pipe Rolls there in 1200 as Sprakelingus. Robertus filius Sprakeling was listed in the early Pipe Rolls of Worcester in 1204. The Pipe Rolls of Norfolk listed Vnspac Spracheling in 1166 and John, Gervase Sprakeling was listed in Worcester in the Pipe Rolls in 1204. [1]

The name is generally understood to have been derived from the Old English Spracaling, an anglicizing of the Viking word Sprakaleggr, "man with the creaking legs." [1]

Another source claims the "surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Sparkling'. " [2] This latter source also lists Robertus Esprakelin in Cornwall, temp. Henry III. (during the reign of King Henry III) and Kirby's Quest lists "Geoffrey Sparkelyng, in Somerset, 1 Edward III," [3] (during the first year of Edward III's reign.)

These latter two listings in Somerset and Cornwall in south western England are significant as they may explain how some of the family would many years later emigrate to Newfoundland in the 18th century. There the family was principally found in Brigus. Today Spracklings (or Spracklins) Island is found in Labrador. [4]

Early History of the Spraggon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Spraggon research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Spraggon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spraggon Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Spracklin, Spracklyn, Spracklyng, Sprackling and others.

Early Notables of the Spraggon family

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


New Zealand Spraggon migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Spraggon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Joseph Spraggon, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Harwood" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 4th November 1858 [5]
  • Mrs. Sarah Spraggon, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Harwood" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 4th November 1858 [5]


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  4. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland Montreal: McGill's-Queen's University Press 1998. Print. (ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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