Sperl History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Sperl

What does the name Sperl mean?

The Sperl family emerged in Pomerania, a territory of Germany and a maritime province of Prussia. Pomerania was bounded on the south by Brandenburg, on the west by Mecklenburg, and on the east by Poland. During the 5th century, Pomerania was settled by Pommern, who were a Slavic tribe. Pommern, meaning on the sea, became the name of this region during the reign of the Charlemagne.

Early Origins of the Sperl family

The surname Sperl was first found in Mecklenburg, where the family was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status during the continual struggle caused by the aristocratic resistance to imperial centralization. They branched into many houses, and their allegiance was sought by many leaders in their search for power. Chronicles first mention Johann Sperling of Rostock, Mecklenburg, in 1285; Peczuld Sperling of Liegnitz, Silesia, in 1382; and Ulrich der Sperl of Bavaria in 1383. Interestingly, Sperling was the epithet of Duke Henry VIII of Silesia.

Early History of the Sperl family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sperl research. Another 210 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1530, 1554 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Sperl History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sperl Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sperl, Sperle, Sperling, Sperlich (Silesia) and many more.

Early Notables of the Sperl family

Hans Sperl the Elder (d.1554), who first brought the family into the Palatinate-Sulzbach where they rose to great prominence

Sperl migration to the United States +

Sperl Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Sperl, who settled in Philadelphia in 1856

Contemporary Notables of the name Sperl (post 1700) +

John V. Sperl, American politician, Mayor of West St. Paul, Minnesota, 1952-54 1

Sources +

The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html