Origin of the surname Spencer

Recorded in several forms including Spence, Spencer, the rare patronymic Spencers, and the aphetic Spender, this is an English surname but one of French origins. It is perhaps surprisingly occupational and originally described a despencier or despendour, a man who was in charge of purchasing and distribution of all food and provisions within a royal or noble household or a monastery. This was a position of great importance, and usually only lesser in status to the Steward. The derivation is from the Old French pre 8th century word despense, meaning to weigh, and the word was probably introduced into England by the Norman French after the Conquest of 1066.

The spelling of the surname has always been with the transposed 'c' rather than the 's' as in 'despense'. In Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the glutton in 'The Summer's Tale' is described as "All vinolent as botel in the spence". The four main officers of a noble household were the Steward, who was responsible for administration, Despencer for provisions, the Marshal for the horses, and the Butler, for household staffing. Since the Middle Ages there has hardly been a time in English history when a Spencer did not hold a major position in the state. The most prominent was the (late) Princess of Wales, formerly Lady Diana Spencer. Her family, the Spencers of Althorp in Northamptonshire, claim descent from Robert, who was 'despenser' to William the Conqueror, in 1066. Early examples of the surname recording include Henry le Despender in the Curia Regis Rolls of Warwick, in the year 1214, whilst the most famous of the early name holders was Sir Hugh le Despencer (1256-1326), who fought at the Battle of Falkirk in 1308, and whose son took part in the Siege of Calais in 1345. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Spencer. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Research into the possible origins of spencer leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname spencer is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of spencer.

The surname Spencer around the world

There is a considerable probability that spencer has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where spencer is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname spencer provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Spencer

The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named spencer are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname spencer, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of spencer developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname spencer.

It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of spencer could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about spencer and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Spencer

We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname spencer, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname spencer were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname spencer, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname spencer who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Spencer and its bibliographic sources

The bibliography collects information related to the surname spencer, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of spencer are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of spencer.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of spencer, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Spencer