Sprinkle
A rare English surname most likely from a nickname or descriptive word, probably tied to the idea of sprinkling or scattering.
The #5,549 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 49,281 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Sprinkle is most naturally explained from the common English verb and noun "sprinkle," meaning to scatter in small drops or particles. As a surname, it is likely to have begun as a nickname or descriptive byname for someone associated with sprinkling, scattering, or perhaps a lively, showery quality. The form looks English rather than imported, but the exact surname origin is not firmly documented in the excerpts provided.
History
The name is uncommon in the United States and appears as a relatively small modern surname. Because the available historical excerpts do not give a true dictionary entry for the surname, its earlier history is uncertain. In practice, it is best treated as an English-language surname of obscure but probably descriptive origin.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The word also survives in related surnames and place-like nicknames built from weather or action words, which were a common source of English surnames.
From the historical record
“2 Some of our county histories are not blameless in this matter, and sprinkle de's in ludicrous fashion among the ancestors of the local gentry. ARTIFICIAL ENTRIES 15”
— Surnames