Because few could read, a 'spellian' was an important person, allowed to visit the different town and villages to give out the official news. The surname is also used as Speleman, Spellman and Spelman, with the same meaning. This in fact was a situation which existed in England until the begining of the 19th century, and only from about 1870 could it be said that most people were able to read and write. Clearly the name literally means an educated person at a time when few could write their name, and even fewer could by any standard be considered to have any recognizeable academic education. It is believed to originate from the pre 7th century Olde English word 'spellian' meaning a scholar, speaker or professional story-teller. Recorded as Spelling, Spellen and Spilling, this is an English surname.
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