spurius

Spurius is a Latin praenomen (given name) that appears in ancient Roman sources. It was used by several patrician families in the early Republic and is now very rarely encountered in later periods. In many standard lists of Latin names, Spurius is cited as one of the older, now obsolete personal names that gradually fell out of common use as naming fashions changed.

The name is connected to the Latin adjective spurĭus, meaning “illegitimate” or “spurious.” The exact origin of the praenomen form and its relationship to the adjectival sense are not entirely clear, but the two share a common root in Latin. The English word spurious derives from the same Latin root, illustrating how the term entered modern languages through classical Latin.

Notable bearers of the name include Spurius Cassius Vecellinus, who was consul at the founding of the Roman Republic (around 509 BCE) and is associated with early efforts to stabilize Roman governance. Spurius Maelius is another figure from early Roman history, described in sources as a plebeian who drew attention for alleged attempts to seize power. Spurius Tarpeius is a legendary early Roman figure linked to the story surrounding the Capitoline Hill and its fortifications; as with many early Roman names, the historicity of some details is debated and the accounts blend history and myth.

In onomastic studies, Spurius serves as an example of how Roman praenomina could become archaic. While the name persists in classical texts, it is not used in contemporary practice. The term remains of interest to scholars studying Roman naming conventions and the linguistic history of Latin.