Speakman means spokesman or speaker, an occupational surname from medieval England for someone who spoke on behalf of others. Speakman is an English surname derived from Middle English speke-man, from Old English specan meaning to speak and man meaning man, so literally speak-man. It was an occupational name for a town crier, herald, advocate, or someone who was spokesperson in court or town meetings in medieval England. The name was first found in Lancashire and Cheshire in northwest England in 13th century, with early records like Richard le Spekeman in 1246 in Lancashire. It indicates someone whose job was to speak publicly, make announcements, or represent others. The surname Speakman is most common in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire in England, and spread to America with English immigration in 17th and 18th centuries. Allen Speakman who founded Speakman Company in 1869 in Wilmington, Delaware, was of English descent with this surname. Variations include Speekman, Speckman, and Speakeman. So Speakman means spokesman, speaker, or town crier, occupational surname from medieval England, English origin, not German or Polish, meaning one who speaks on behalf of others, dating to 13th century in northern England.
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