Surname Spät - Meaning and Origin
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Spät: What does the surname Spät mean?
The last name Spät is a German name, derived from the Middle High German word spât, which means "evening". It is believed to have begun as a nickname for someone who worked late into the evening, or who often arrived late, as "spât" is another word for "late" or "tardy". Over time, the name has evolved through various spellings (e.g., Späth, Speth, Specht, Speet), but it has retained its essential meaning.
The most common spelling of the name (Spät) is primarily found in southern Germany today; however, it can also occasionally be seen in Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking countries. As the spelling variations imply, the name is most likely of Germanic origin, related to other names that similarly mean “late-comer”, such as Specht (woodpecker) and Speer (spear).
The Spät surname is fairly common in its various forms, with records dating back to the 16th century in Germany and Austria. Despite its many spellings, people with the surname are usually connected to one another, suggesting a common ancestor or small migration of the original Spät family.
The meaning of the name has stayed the same over the centuries, and it remains an interesting example of how nicknames can evolve into heritable surnames. Although it may represent people who are often tardy, it is just as likely to represent a hard worker who labors late to finish a job. In either case, it is a reminder of the busy lives of our ancestors, and of their legacy that lives on in the present day.
Order DNA origin analysisSpät: Where does the name Spät come from?
The last name Spät is a German family name typically found in the countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the German-speaking region of Europe. It is also sometimes found in nearby countries of Belgium, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. In Germany, it is most often found in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg in the southwest.
In North America, Spät is primarily found in the United States and Canada. The name was brought to North America by German immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, many people with the Spät surname are descendants of those earlier German immigrants. The states with the highest number of people with the last name Spät include Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
In 2020, the last name Spät was the 8,475th most common name in the United States, reported to be used by 2,727 people. It was also the 18,944th most common family name in Canada with an estimated 168 bearers.
Overall, the last name Spät has maintained a presence throughout much of Europe and North America since its arrival in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the majority of people with the Spät surname continue to live in the regions of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Spät
The surname Spät is a variation of the German word ‘späten’, which means ‘late’. As a surname, it is most commonly found in countries in the German-speaking regions, as well as in Russia, Belarus, Poland, Romania, and other parts of Eastern Europe. It is likely derived from a person who was either born or arrived late.
The following are some of the variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Spät:
* Spacht – Common in the Low Countries (Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany).
* Spathe – Found in Germany and Austria.
* Spadt – Common in Switzerland and Germany.
* Spädt – Common in Germany.
* Spat – Common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
* Spad – Common in Spain and France.
* Spade – Common in Italy.
* Spati – Common in Romania.
* Spato – Common in Russia and Eastern Europe.
* Speth – Found mainly in Germany.
* Spéti – Found mainly in Hungary.
* Spàti – Found mainly in Romania.
* Spata – Found mainly in Poland.
The surname Spät is likely to have been altered upon immigration to other countries. Therefore, some other surnames of the same origin include Spacke, Spate, Spatz, Spitzer, Specht, Speer, Speight, Speitel, Speight, and Spotts.
Famous people with the name Spät
- Filip Spät: German-language theatre actor and director from Germany.
- Grethe Spät: Danish jazz vocalist and composer.
- Jan Spät: German artist and sculptor.
- Gustav Spät: Austrian modern painter and graphic artist.
- Waltraud Spät: Austrian politician and member of the National Council.
- Freya Spät: German artist based in Zurich.
- Luise Spät: Swiss artist, mainly active in Switzerland.
- Pia Spät: Austrian freelance photographer and photojournalist.
- Arnold Spät: Austrian author, mainly active in literature and drama.
- Konstantin Spät: German mobile games publisher and CEO of Playata.
- Gudrun Spät: German entrepreneur and managing director of the media company.
- Rahel Spät: Swiss philanthropist and leading personality in the Swiss scholastic network.
- Tino-Noah Spät: Canadian actor known for starring in the television series, Supernatural.
- Ludwig Spät: German composer and conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Simon Spät: German professional ice hockey player playing for Adler Mannheim.