How to Pronounce Spencer
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Spencer name meaning
First Name
122k
in the U.S.
since 1880
122k
in the U.S.
since 1880
Last Name
140k
in the U.S.
in 2010
140k
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
Meaning and Origin
What does the name Spencer mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Spencer
User Submitted Origins
English
80%
American
20%
User Submitted Meanings
- A submission from Illinois, U.S. says the name Spencer means "Guardian, steward, keeper of goods, butler, protector" and is of English origin.
- A user from North Carolina, U.S. says the name Spencer is of English origin and means "Keeper".
- A user from California, U.S. says the name Spencer is of English origin and means "Keeper of the pantry".
- According to a user from Canada, the name Spencer means "Protector".
- A submission from Connecticut, U.S. says the name Spencer means "Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!".
- According to a user from Singapore, the name Spencer is of American origin and means "loving to read and a god".
- A submission from Virginia, U.S. says the name Spencer means "A young genius".
- According to a user from New York, U.S., the name Spencer means "Dispenser of provisions".
- A submission from Canada says the name Spencer means "Provider warrior".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Spen"cer
One who has the care of the spence, or buttery.
Etymology: OF. despensier. See Spence, and cf. Dispenser
noun Spen"cer
A short jacket worn by men and by women.
Etymology: From the third Earl Spencer, who first wore it, or brought it into fashion
noun Spen"cer
A fore-and-aft sail, abaft the foremast or the mainmast, hoisted upon a small supplementary mast and set with a gaff and no boom; a trysail carried at the foremast or mainmast; -- named after its inventor, Knight Spencer, of England [1802].
Other Dictionary Sources
- English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)
Wiktionary
An occupational surname from Middle English Spenser, Spencer, Spensier, from the common noun spenser (“spencer”), denoting someone who works in a spence, or as a butler or steward.
- An English occupational surname.
- A male given name transferred from the surname, of general 19th century and later usage.
- A female given name transferred from the surname, of modern usage.
- A town in Massachusetts; named for Massachusetts governor Spencer Phips.
- A city, the county seat of Clay County, Iowa.
- A city in Oklahoma.
- A town in North Carolina; named for railroad executive Samuel Spencer.
- A town and village in New York; named for New York statesman Ambrose Spencer.
- A city, the county seat of Roane County, West Virginia.
- A town, the county seat of Owen County, Indiana; named for Indiana militia officer Spier Spencer.
- A town and village in Wisconsin; named for the town in Massachusetts.
- A town, the county seat of Van Buren County, Tennessee; named for longhunter Thomas Sharp Spencer.
- A village in Ohio.
- A village in Nebraska; perhaps named for Alabama statesman George E. Spencer.
- A suburb of Central Coast, New South Wales; probably named for British politician George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer.
- A city in South Dakota; named for railroad official H. Spencer.
- A hamlet in Idaho.
- An unincorporated community in Missouri; named for a local merchant.
- An unincorporated community in Virginia; named for first settler James Spencer Jr.
- An English earldom.
Spencer was also found in the following language(s): Dutch
Notable Persons Named Spencer
Notable Persons Named Spencer
Spencer Tracy
Spencer Tracy was an actor. He was most prominent from 1922 to 1967. Spencer was given the name Spencer Bonaventure Tracy on April 5th, 1900 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. He breathed his last breath on June 10th, 1967.
Spencer Grammer
Spencer Grammer is an actress and actor. She has had major accomplishments since 1992. Spencer was given the name Spencer Karen Grammer by her parent Kelsey Grammer on October 9th, 1983 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Spencer Pratt
Spencer Pratt is a television personality and celebrity. He was most prominent from 2005 to 2015. Spencer was given the name Spencer William Pratt on August 14th, 1983 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Spencer Wilding
Spencer was given the name Spencer Lee Wilding on July 26th, 1972 in St Asaph, Wales.
Spencer Treat Clark
Spencer Treat Clark is an actor. His most notable accomplishments were from 1995 to present. Spencer was born on September 24th, 1987 in New York City, New York, U.S.
Spencer Locke
Spencer Locke is an actress. She has been prominent since 2000. Spencer was born on September 20th, 1991 in Winter Park, Florida, U.S.
Notable Persons With the Last Name Spencer
Notable Persons With the Last Name Spencer
Abigail Spencer
Abigail Spencer is an actress. She has had major accomplishments since 1999. Abigail was born on August 4th, 1981 in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Richard Bertrand Spencer
Richard Bertrand Spencer is an author, publisher, and activist. Richard was born on May 11th, 1978 in Boston.
Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer is an actress. She has been prominent since 1996. Octavia was given the name Octavia Lenora Spencer on May 25th, 1970 in Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. Octavia is also known as Octavia L. Spencer.
Bud Spencer
Bud Spencer is an actor and filmmaker. His ongoing career started in 1951. Bud was given the name Carlo Pedersoli on October 31st, 1929 in Naples, Italy. Bud is also known as Bud Spencer, Pedersoli, and Carlo.
Jesse Spencer
Jesse Spencer is an actor and musician. His ongoing career started in 1991. Jesse was given the name Jesse Gordon Spencer on February 12th, 1979 in Melbourne.
Laura Spencer
Laura Spencer is an actress and producer. She has been prominent since 2009. Laura was born on May 8th, 1986 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. Laura is also known as Laura Spencer.
- Herbert SpencerPhilosopher
- Brenda Spencer
- Lara SpencerTelevision Journalist
- Jeremy SpencerMusician
- Danielle SpencerSinger
- Robert SpencerAuthor
- Sir Stanley SpencerArtist
- Clayton SpencerAcademia
- Nick Spencer
- Tyler SpencerSinging
- Jr. Earl Winfield SpencerMilitary Person
- The Earl SpencerOffice Holder
- Roy W. SpencerScientist
- Jon SpencerMusician
Common last names for Spencer
Ethnicity Distribution
| Ethnicity | Spencer | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| █ | White | 69.41% | 64.26% |
| █ | African American | 23.22% | 11.96% |
| █ | Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander | 0.76% | 4.85% |
| █ | American Indian and Alaska Native | 1.47% | 0.69% |
| █ | Two or More Ethnicities | 2.48% | 1.76% |
| █ | Hispanic or Latino | 2.67% | 16.26% |
Of Last Name Spencer
People with the last name Spencer are most frequently White or African American
Entire United States
Fun Facts about the name Spencer
| #199 | Popular Surnames |
| #51 | Last Name First Names |
| #69 | Unique Boy Names |
| #7 | Boy Names Unique to the Rockies |