This is a surname which is exactly the same in both spelling and meaning in English and German. It is of pre medieval origins, and derives from a 7th century word "spinel", which describes a spindle upon which wool was spun. A spindler however was not a spinner of textiles, but a maker of the actual spinning frames. Occupational surnames were often not hereditary, they only became so after about the 14th century, when a son continued in his fathers business or occupation. If for some reason he did not, he would sometimes be called by both his occupation and that of his father as well! In England the earliest known recording in any spelling is that of William le Spinlere, in the tax rolls known as the Feet of Fines in the year 1236, in the county of Essex, and slightly later we have William le Spindlere in the accounts of the duchy of Cornwall in 1296. In Germany the first recording is believed to be that of Adilhais Spindlerine of Luachringen, in the year 1279.

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