| ![Show Contents]() Speights History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Speights familyThe surname Speights was first found in Yorkshire where William Speyt was recorded in 1297. A few years later William Speght was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332 in Cumberland (Cumbria). John Speht was recorded at Wakefield, Yorkshire in 1315. 1 The name is derived from the Old English words *speoht, *speht, from the Middle English word speight meaning 'wood-pecker'. 1 2 3 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Matilda Speght; Hugo Speght; and Johanna Spite. 3 Early History of the Speights familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Speights research. Another 35 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1598, 1600 and 1697 are included under the topic Early Speights History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Speights Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Spaight, Speight, Speaight, Spait, Spate and others. Early Notables of the Speights familyAnother 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Speights Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Speights RankingIn the United States, the name Speights is the 11,301st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4 Migration of the Speights family to IrelandSome of the Speights family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 120 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Speights migration to West Indies | + |
The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 5Speights Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century- William and Mary Speights, who settled in Barbados with their daughter Elizabeth in 1678
| Contemporary Notables of the name Speights (post 1700) | + |
- Dr. James W Speights, American ophthalmologist in San Antonio, Texas
- Jason Speights, American attorney in San Antonio, Texas
- Marreese Speights (b. 1987), American Forward-Center basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Vi et virtute
Motto Translation: By strength and valour.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
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