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![Show Contents]() Spens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Spens surname derives from the Old French word "despense," from the Latin "dispendere" meaning "to dispense;" as such, it is thought to have been an metonymic occupational surname for someone in charge of the pantry of a great house or monastery. The Middle English word "spense" means "larder" or "storeroom." Early Origins of the Spens familyThe surname Spens was first found in Yorkshire, where Simon del Spens (or de la Despense) was on record in 1300, in the Charters of Guisburn Priory, Yorkshire. Other early records include Amice ate Spense, listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Essex of 1327; and William atte Spence listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcester in that same year. Early History of the Spens familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Spens research. Another 243 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1320, 1358, 1365, 1385, 1390, 1426, 1428 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Spens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Spens Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Spence, Spens, Spense, Spenceley, Spencley and many more. Early Notables of the Spens familyMore information is included under the topic Early Spens Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Spens family to Ireland
Some of the Spens family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Spens familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: a Mrs. Spence, who was on record in Virginia in 1623; John Spenceley, who sailed to Barbados in 1635; Francis Spence, who was in Virginia in 1635; Robert Spence, who came to Virginia in 1654.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Spens (post 1700) | + |
- E. C. Spens, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Mayor of Alpena, Michigan, 1914 1
- Sir William Spens (1882-1962), English educator, vice-chancellor of Cambridge University (1931-1933)
- William George Michael Spens (1914-1984), British Army officer and peer, 2nd Baron Spens
- Patrick Spens (1885-1973), British lawyer, judge, and politician, Chief Justice of India (1943-1947), created 1st Lord Spens of Blairsanquhar, Fife, in 1959
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England
Scotland
Ireland
