Spridgen

Recorded today as Spridgen, Spridgeon, Spurgin, and possibly others, this is an English surname. However it origin from the famous Vikings, and is a patronymic of the ancient Norse personal name "Sprigin", itself composed of the pre 7th century Old Norse "sprige" meaning twig branch; and the diminutive suffix "-in"; hence "little branch, or son of Little Branch". The first recorded namebearer appears in the Norfolk region in the 13th century as shown below. The "-eon", ending is thought to be an imitative spelling from existing words such as pigeon or surgeon. The development of the name includes the following examples: Simon Sp'ugin is mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273; William Sprigin (1275, Norfolk); Ralph Spraging (1622, London); and Robert Spurgynne, who was vicar of Fouldon, Norfolk in 1566. John Spurgeon was mayor of Yarmouth in 1712, and Charles Spurgeon (1834 - 1892) was a baptist preacher who became so popular a preacher "that Exeter Hall could not hold his congregation". A Coat of Arms depicting a chevron engraved between three black escallops and the Motto "Non civium ardor" (Not the ardour of the citizens) was granted to the Rev. John Sturgeon of Twyford Rectory, Norfolk. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Sprigin. This was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Norfolk", during the reign of King Edward 1st of England, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307.