The surname Sparks, mainly found in northern England and Scotland is a nickname derived from the Old Norse byname or personal name Spark meaning “sprightly, or vivacious.” The earliest reference to the name is in 1301 when John Sparkes was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire. Phenisse Sparkes was christened at St. Mary-at-Hill, on July 17th 1557, and Elizabett, the daughter of Thomas Sparks, was christened on September 25th 1642, at St. Brides, Fleet Street. Joseph Sparkes (1683-1740) was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge in 1704, and he later edited the "Historariae Anglicane Scriptores". 

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                                      SPARKS FAMILY CREST PENDANT