Etymology. The surname is derived from the medieval name of Speyer, Germany, compare Spire, the French name for that city. Other name variants attributed to Speyer include Sapiro, Spira, Spire, Spiro, Spero, Chapiro, Sprai, Szpir, Szpiro, Sapir and Spear.

What nationality is the last name Shapiro?

Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic): habitational name among Eastern European Jews from the Yiddish name of the German city of Speyer (see Speyer and compare Spiro).

What is the origin of Shapiro?

The Shapiro surname is derived from the Middle High German word "schaf," meaning "sheep." As such, the name is thought to have originally been occupational.