Recorded in several spellings as shown below, this is an English surname although arguably of Old Scandinavian and Viking origins. It is from the pre 7th century personal name Sprig, meaning twig or branch, with the diminutive suffix "-in"; hence "Little twig". The modern diverse spellings showing how things can change over some thirteen hundred years and several different languages include forms such as Spurgeon, Spridgeon, Spurgin, Spraggon and Sporgeon! The first recorded namebearer appears in the late 13th Century (see below) in the Norfolk region. 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 Spugin 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. Charles Spurgeon (1834 - 1892) was a baptist who became so popular a preacher that quote "Exeter Hall could not hold his congregation". A coat of arms associated with the surname has the blazon of silver field, charged with a chevron engrailed between three black escallops, and the Motto "Non civium ardor" or Not the ardour of the citizens. 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, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307.

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