Surname Speed - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the History and Global Connection of the Surname 'Speed' through iGENEA DNA Test
In this review, I share my enlightening journey towards uncovering the roots of my surname, Speed via the iGENEA DNA test. The test connected me with the global Speed family, leading to a profound sense of belonging and understanding.
K. Speed
read moreSpeed: What does the surname Speed mean?
The surname Speed is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English word "sped," which means success, prosperity, wealth, or luck. It was typically given as a nickname or an occupational name to an successful or prosperous individual in the Middle Ages. Despite the modern association of the word "speed" with quickness, it is unlikely that the surname has any relation with fleetness or swiftness. Like many early surnames, the original meaning has somewhat morphed and adapted over time due to linguistic evolution. It is important to note that in the realm of etymology, one can never be certain of the exact origin or meaning of a surname, as it has been shaped by centuries of usage, differing dialects, and regional influences.
Order DNA origin analysisSpeed: Where does the name Speed come from?
The last name Speed is common primarily in the United Kingdom and in the United States of America. In the United Kingdom, it is believed to be primarily of English origin, and it can be found in many small towns and villages. The surname often appears to be clustered in the counties of Hampshire, Sussex, and Wiltshire.
In the United States, Speed is far more spread out. It can be found in all fifty states, though the most populous concentration lies in the South, in states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia. The descendant states of Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as Alabama, have a healthy population of Speeds. There are also sizable numbers in states like California, Florida, and North Carolina.
Speeds are more likely to be identifiable as a distinct family group in the more isolated regions of the American South, which tends to retain more strongly its original settlers. In this particular region, it is believed that the Speeds may be of French-Huguenot origin. Elsewhere in the United States, it is much more difficult to make such connections.
Variations of the surname Speed
The surname Speed is an English and Irish patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from the given name of the father of the initial bearer. It can also be spelt as Speede, Spead, Sped, Speede as well as Speid. Variants of Speed include Spade, Speedy, Speight, Speighte, and Spight.
Speede in England is found mostly in the Midlands, especially around Hampshire and the south coast towns of the same name. This is most likely because the derivation of the surname is from the Old English word "spēd". In Ireland, it is associated mainly with the counties of Cork and Louth.
The Spead spelling is found almost exclusively in the United States. It is an Americanized or Anglicanised form of an Irish surname, MacSpéidín—which dates back to the eleventh century when the Gaeilge (Irish) form of the name was Spéideán. All two hundred spelling variations in the U.S. come from the six original Speed families.
The Spead spelling in Ireland is found mainly in Ulster, where it is derived from the old Gaelic name MacSpeasd. The name has an ancient lineage, believed to have come from the Dál Fiatach dynasty in the Middle Ages.
Speedy is found in England, derived from the name Speed and is often considered a short form of the given name 'Henry', making the Speedy surname a nickname.
The Speight surname originated in England, and was derived from the given name ‘Speed’. The Speight family was also associated with the medieval court of Duke William during the 11th century in England.
The Speighte surname is derived from the Old English word 'speite' meaning 'fortitude' or 'courage'. It is believed the Speighte family originated in the county of Herefordshire.
The Spight surname is an Americanized form of the German word 'Sprecht' which means 'to speak'. It is believed to have originated in Prussia.
Finally, the Spade surname is not connected to the Speed surname. It is actually derived from the Middle English word 'spad' meaning 'sword'. The Spade surname is found mainly around Lancashire in England and is believed to have been a nickname for a swordsman or someone who carried a weapon.
Famous people with the name Speed
- Harry Speed (1860-1920), English footballer
- Lachlan Speed (born 1996), Australian swimmer
- Raymond Speed (born 1978), Welsh footballer
- Zenna Speed (born 1941), British actress
- Buster Speed (1919-1991), American wrestler
- Wonder Speed (born 1951), Dutch-Finnish water polo player
- Grace Speed (1911-1988), American silent movie actress
- Joel Speed (born 1981), American baseball player
- Terry Speed (born 1953), Australian statistician and mathematician
- Anders Speed (born 1954), Danish painter