Spear: Surname History and Family Crest

The same name, two spellings: Spear and Spears. In origin, the name means “Spearman”. Without the “s” of Spears, Spear is a simpler written form of the same name. Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists. Other spellings include Spiers and Speirs.

According to the 2010 US Census, the Spear surname had 13,284 bearers.

Looking for a Spear coat of arms? Arms were granted to families, not to surnames, and our research shows which heraldic tradition fits yours. Want more than a summary? See the Spear family name pack.