SPARROW
Sparrow
Origin and Meaning
Sparrow is a British surname of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "sparwe", which means a small bird of the Finch family noted for its prevalent cheerfulness. The surname was likely bestowed as a nickname for someone who was thought to resemble the bird in some way, or who was skilled at catching or training sparrows.
Distribution and Popularity
The surname Sparrow is relatively common in the United Kingdom, particularly in regions with a history of agriculture and hunting, where interactions with sparrows would have been more frequent. It is also found in other parts of the English-speaking world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, often as a result of migration from the UK.
Notable Individuals
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Jack Sparrow (b. 1689) - A fictional character portrayed by Johnny Depp in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series. Captain Jack Sparrow is a notorious pirate known for his wit and charm.
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Philip Sparrow (1918-2010) - British actor known for his roles in various stage plays and television shows during the mid-20th century.
Variants and Derivatives
Variants of the surname Sparrow include Sparrowhawk, a compound name combining "sparrow" with "hawk", a bird of prey known for hunting sparrows. Other derivative surnames are Sparling and Sperry, which may have developed over time from Sparrow through phonetic evolution and regional dialects.
Coat of Arms
The Sparrow coat of arms features a shield adorned with symbols representing strength, freedom, and agility, qualities associated with the sparrow bird. The crest typically displays a sparrow displayed in a natural setting, conveying the lineage's connection to nature and the countryside.
There are approximately 5,372 people named Sparrow in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,764th most common surname in Britain. Around 82 in a million people in Britain are named Sparrow.
Surname type: Nickname
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Barbara
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jane
- Jennifer
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Rachel
- Sarah
- Susan
- Sylvia
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.