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Springer Family History

Springer Surname Meaning

English, German, Dutch, and Jewish (Ashkenazic) refer to a nickname for a lively person or a traveling entertainer, derived from an agent form of Middle English, Middle High German springen, Middle Dutch springhen, and Yiddish shpringen, all meaning ‘to jump or leap’. The surname of German origin is also found in regions of France (Alsace and Lorraine), Poland, Czechia, and Slovenia, indicating a broader geographical presence (see also 4 below).

In part, this surname is a Gottscheerish (i.e., Gottschee German) surname that originates from the Kočevsko region in Lower Carniola, Slovenia (see Kocevar). The English variant may be an occupational name derived from Middle English springer(e), which can refer to a ‘dancer’ or ‘fencer’, or potentially someone who traps animals or birds. This variant is derived either from Middle English springen meaning ‘to spring up or leap’ (Old English springan) or from Middle English spring, which denotes a dance, fencing stroke, or bird snare.

Additionally, 'Springer' could also be a topographic name from Middle English springer, describing someone who lived near a plantation of young trees or by a spring—as in Middle English spring, meaning ‘young tree, young plantation, copse, spring, source of a stream’. This type of formation, where the suffix -er is attached to a topographic term, is especially common in Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire. However, no compelling evidence has yet been discovered to substantiate this derivation of Springer.

In other regions, such as Czechia, Slovenia, and Croatia, the name (Špringer) serves as a nickname of German origin. In Slovenia, it may also exist as a Slovenized form of the Gottscheerish surname, reflecting the linguistic and cultural intermingling in these areas.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


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Where is the Springer family from?

You can see how Springer families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Springer family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Springer families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 101 Springer families living in London. This was about 38% of all the recorded Springer's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Springer families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Springer surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Springer ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Springer. 38% of Springer men worked as a General Labourer and 80% of Springer women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Springer were Commission Agents Cle and Retired.

View Census Data for Springer | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    38%
  • Cabinet Maker
    38%
  • Commission Agents Cle
    25%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    80%
  • Housewife
    6%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    5%
  • Retired
    3%

What Springer family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 151,000 census records available for the last name Springer. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Springer census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Springer

Passenger Lists

There are 18,000 immigration records available for the last name Springer. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Springer immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 35,000 military records available for the last name Springer. For the veterans among your Springer ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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You've only scratched the surface of Springer family history

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What is the average Springer lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Springer life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1944, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Springer in 1940 was 43, and 77 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Springer

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Springer ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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