Show ContentsSpradling History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Spradling

What does the name Spradling mean?

The name Spradling is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a person who because of their physical abilities was referred to as "sprack" or "spragg." This nickname surname was used to denote those individuals who were "agile", "nimble" and "quite lively." 1 2 3

In Shakespeare's comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, he states "He is a good sprag memory," IV. i. 84. 4

Early Origins of the Spradling family

The surname Spradling was first found in Suffolk where Reginald Sprag is listed in Suffolk in 1303. This is generally considered to be the first record of the family. A few years later, Richard Sprak was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327 and Alice Sprakes was listed in Somerset in 1359. 5

Early History of the Spradling family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Spradling research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1618, 1620, 1632, 1645, 1655, 1660, 1664, 1673, 1677, 1684, 1695, 1720, 1725, 1919, 1944 and 1946 are included under the topic Early Spradling History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spradling Spelling Variations

Spradling has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Spradling have been found, including Spragg, Spragge, Sprague, Sprake, Sprigg, Spriggs and many more.

Early Notables of the Spradling family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Joshua Sprigg or Sprigge (1618-1684), an English Independent theologian and preacher, chaplain to Sir Thomas FairfaxSir Edward Spragge or Spragg or Sprague (c.1620-1673) was a Royal Navy officer, an accomplished seaman who fought in many great actions after the Stuart Restoration of King Charles...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Spradling Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spradling Ranking

In the United States, the name Spradling is the 9,768th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Spradling family to Ireland

Some of the Spradling family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 113 words (8 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 Spradling family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Spradlings to arrive on North American shores: John Spragg who settled in New England in 1765; Richard Spragg arrived in Philadelphia in 1814; Anna, Francis, Jonathon, Mercy, Ralph, Richard and William Sprague all settled in Plymouth Massachusetts in 1623.


Contemporary Notables of the name Spradling (post 1700) +

  • Allan C. Spradling (b. 1949), American scientist, principal investigator at the Carnegie Institution for Science
  • J. M. Spradling, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arkansas, 1908 7
  • Hattie Spradling, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Missouri, 1952 7
  • Brandan Spradling, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arizona, 2008 7
  • Albert M. Spradling Jr., American Democratic Party politician, Member of Missouri State Senate 27th District, 1952; Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Missouri, 1956 7


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Dixon, Bernard Homer, Surnames. London: John Wilson and son, 1857. Print
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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