sprake

Sprake is a surname of English origin. It is relatively uncommon in modern times and is most frequently encountered in the British Isles and in countries with English-speaking diasporas. The exact etymology is uncertain. Linguists and onomasts have proposed that Sprake may derive from a locational name linked to a place that has since changed or disappeared, or from a topographic term describing a scrubby or thorny landscape; phonetic variants such as Spracke, Spraker, and Sprack appear in historical records, suggesting the name may have originated from multiple roots or dialect forms.

Historically, the surname appears in parish and civil records dating back to the early modern period in England. Over the centuries, bearers of the name migrated to other parts of the British Isles and to North America, especially during the 18th–20th centuries, contributing to the surname's distribution beyond its English origins.

In modern times, Sprake is primarily encountered as a surname and is not associated with a widely recognized place, institution, or concept. Its rarity means it is more likely to appear in genealogical research or surname-interest contexts rather than general reference.

Variants and related forms include Spracke, Spraker, and Sprack, reflecting regional spellings and record-keeping practices.