Springate

This unusual and interesting name has two possible origins, the first of which is from a medieval nickname, "Springal(d)", for a young man, a youth or stripling, derived from an Old English pre 7th Century personal name from the verb "Springan", to jump, or leap, plus the Old French suffix "-ald". The second possible origin is a metonymic occupational name for a soldier responsible for operating the medieval siege-engine called the "Springalde", from the Old French "Espringalle". The engine was built like a giant bow or catapult and was used in medieval warfare for hurling heavy missiles against fortifications. There are four versions of the name in the modern idiom:- Springle, Springall, Sprionghall, Springate and Springell. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Adam Springald, which was dated 1275, in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire, during the reign of King Edward 1, known as the Hammer of the Scots, 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.