The Spencer Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of Spencer, its origins in England, and the story behind a Spencer family crest.
Origin of the Spencer name
Spencer is an occupational name for the steward who dispensed provisions in a great household, from Middle English spenser, a shortened form of Anglo-Norman despenser. The Despensers were powerful at the court of Edward II, and the Spencers of Althorp in Northamptonshire, who rose through sheep farming in the sixteenth century, later became Earls Spencer and, through marriage, Dukes of Marlborough.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Spencer name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Spencer name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Spencer family history
The complete Spencer pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
Spencer name FAQ
What does the Spencer name mean?
Steward, dispenser of provisions. Common variants include Spenser, Despencer, Spence.
Where does the Spencer surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Spencer coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Spencer crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Spencer coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.