Spaight History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Early Origins of the Spaight family

The surname Spaight was first found in Yorkshire where William Speyt was recorded in 1297. A few years later William Speght was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332 in Cumberland (Cumbria). John Speht was recorded at Wakefield, Yorkshire in 1315. 1

The name is derived from the Old English words *speoht, *speht, from the Middle English word speight meaning 'wood-pecker'. 1 2 3

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Matilda Speght; Hugo Speght; and Johanna Spite. 3

Early History of the Spaight family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Spaight research. Another 35 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1598, 1600 and 1697 are included under the topic Early Spaight History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spaight Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Spaight, Speight, Speaight, Spait, Spate and others.

Early Notables of the Spaight family

Distinguished members of the family include

Thomas Spaight, Steward and historian to the Earl of Thomond

Migration of the Spaight family to Ireland

Some of the Spaight family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 120 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spaight migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Spaight Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Michael Spaight who settled in Canada in 1847

Spaight 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:

Spaight Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Charlotte Spaight, aged 17, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Berar" in 1873

Contemporary Notables of the name Spaight (post 1700) +

Richard Dobbs Spaight (1758-1802), American eighth Governor of the State of North Carolina from 1792 to 1795
Richard Dobbs Spaight Jr. (1796-1850), American Democratic Party politician, Member of North Carolina State Legislature; U.S. Representative from North Carolina 4th District, 1823-25; Governor of North Carolina, 1835-36 4
Richard Dobbs Spaight (1758-1802), American Democratic Party politician, Governor of North Carolina, 1792-95; U.S. Representative from North Carolina, 1798-1801; Member of North Carolina State Senate, 1801 4
Richard Spaight Donnell (1820-1867), American politician, Congressional Representative from North Carolina, grandson of founding father Richard Dobbs Spaight

The Spaight 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: Vi et virtute
Motto Translation: By strength and valour.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html