Spenc History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Spenc

What does the name Spenc mean?

The Spenc surname derives from the Old French word "despense," from the Latin "dispendere" meaning "to dispense;" as such, it is thought to have been an metonymic occupational surname for someone in charge of the pantry of a great house or monastery. The Middle English word "spense" means "larder" or "storeroom."

Early Origins of the Spenc family

The surname Spenc was first found in Yorkshire, where Simon del Spens (or de la Despense) was on record in 1300, in the Charters of Guisburn Priory, Yorkshire. Other early records include Amice ate Spense, listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Essex of 1327; and William atte Spence listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcester in that same year.

Early History of the Spenc family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Spenc research. Another 243 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1320, 1358, 1365, 1385, 1390, 1426, 1428 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Spenc History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spenc Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Spence, Spens, Spense, Spenceley, Spencley and many more.

Early Notables of the Spenc family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Patrick Spence who migrated to Virginia and was great grandfather of James Monroe, President of the United States

Migration of the Spenc family to Ireland

Some of the Spenc family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 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 Spenc family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: a Mrs. Spence, who was on record in Virginia in 1623; John Spenceley, who sailed to Barbados in 1635; Francis Spence, who was in Virginia in 1635; Robert Spence, who came to Virginia in 1654.