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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."
The 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.
This 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.
Spelling variations of this family name include: Spence, Spens, Spense, Spenceley, Spencley and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Spens Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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.
Some 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.