Origin of the Spence Surname
The Spence surname is of Unknown origin (Unknown). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #964 with 36,129 Americans (12.25 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Spence traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Spence |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| 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
Among 36,129 Americans named Spence, the largest self-reported group is White (72.23%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Spence Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Spence moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Spence family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Spence Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Spence Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Spence
- ✓ The Spence coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Spence families live today
- ✓ Notable Spence bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Spence fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Spence
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Spence.
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
Top Surnames Starting with S
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter S, ranked by population.
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