Origin & Meaning of the Spence Surname
What does the last name Spence mean?
The surname Spence carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 36,129 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Spence ranks as the #964 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Spence come from?
The Spence surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Spence name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Spence trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Spence |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #964 |
| US Count (2010) | 36,129 |
| Per 100K People | 12.25 |
| First Letter | S |
Ethnic Distribution of Spence
According to the US Census, the Spence surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 36,129 Americans with the Spence last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 72.23% |
| Black | 21.74% |
| Hispanic | 2.73% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.61% |
| Native American | 0.55% |
| Two or More Races | 2.13% |
Popularity of Spence Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Spence surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Spence surname increased by 1,694 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Spence
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Other Unknown Surnames
Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Spence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spence
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