This unusual and intriguing name is of Old Norse origin, and represents a rare survival of an Old Norse byname,

"Sparkr", adopted into Olde English and taken into the Middle Ages as a hereditary surname. The name derives from the Old Norse "sparkr, spraek", lively, sprightly, vivacious, and was given originally as a nickname to one thought to be of a particularly lively character. The surnames Sparks and Sparkes are the patronymic forms of Spark(e), the "s" being a reduced form of "son of". Early examples of the name include: William Sperc (1202, Lancashire); Ralph Sparke (1221, Suffolk); and Robertus Spark (1379, Yorkshire). The surname was also one of the earliest into America; John Sparks is listed in the "Muster of the Inhabitants in Virginia", taken in 1624, as having arrived there in the "George" in 1621. Examples of the surname from London Church Registers include the christening of Richard, son of Robarte Sparks, at St. Margaret's, Westminster, on August 11th 1577, and the marriage of John Sparks and Joan Compton at St. Andrew by the Wardrobe, on May 1st 1582. A Coat of Arms granted to a family of the name is chequy gold and green, a bend ermine. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Sparkes, which was dated 1301, in the "Subsidy Rolls of 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.

The surname of SPARKS was a baptismal name 'the son of Sparrowhawk'. An ancient, although now forgotten personal name. The name has many variant spellings which include Sparke, Sprake, Sprague, Spragg and Spark. Early records of the name mention Sparheuk Sutor, 1273 County Lincoln. Thomas Sperheuk, County Lincolnshire, ibid. Magota Spark of Yorkshire was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Since the dawn of civilisation the need to communicate has been a prime drive of all higher mankind. The more organised the social structure became, the more urgent the need to name places, objects and situations essential to the survival and existence of the social unit. From this common stem arose the requirements to identify families, tribes and individual members evolving into a pattern in evidence today. In the formation of this history, common usage of customs, trades, locations, patronymic and generic terms were often adopted as surnames. The demands of bureaucracy formally introduced by feudal lords in the 11th century, to define the boundaries and families within their fiefdoms, crystallized the need for personal identification and accountability, and surnames became in general use from this time onwards. Later instances of the name mention Richard Sparhawke who was rector of Fincham, in County Norfolk in 1534. Thomas Sparrowhawke married Susannah Hampton, St. George's, Hanover Square, London in 1777. The name is also spelt Sparkes, Spark and Sparks. Originally the coat of arms identified the wearer, either in battle or in tournaments. Completely covered in body and facial armour the knight could be spotted and known by the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped garment which enveloped him. Between the 11th and 15th centuries it became customary for surnames to be assumed in Europe, but were not commonplace in England or Scotland before the Norman Conquest of 1066. They are to be found in the Domesday Book of 1086. Those of gentler blood

assumed surnames at this time, but it was not until the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) that second names became general practice for all people. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884.