Speidel is a Schwebian word which means wedge. More specifically, a speidel is a particular wedge which is used in shaping and holding the staves used in barrel-making. In Schwebia which was an early feudal state, one of many which went to form modern-day Germany, speidel is pronounced with the accent on the first syllable, as in: SPY'dle or SHPY'dle. However, the Speidel family did not get the name from being Coopers or barrel makers. The name was won as an honorific with grant of arms on the battlefield. The Battle Wedge of Odin had it's origin in a battle fought between Svikdag and Hadding in Schwebia some time before the year 52 AD. Orvandel and Groa were husband and wife. They had a son Svikdag. Halfdan stole Groa from her husband Orvandel, and together they had a son, Gudhornr. After the son Gudhornr was born, Halfdan sent Groa back to Orvandel. Halfdan then married Signe Alveig, and with Signe had another son, Hadding. Orvandel was, to say the least, somewhat disgruntled over the actions of Halfdan. This started a war, which eventually involved all of the surrounding feudal states, and kingdoms, to the extent that it was called the first world war. Orvandel was killed, and Svikdag vowed to the Vainr Gods to avenge his father's death. Halfdan looked to the Aesir gods for aid. Thus the war in Schwebia became also a war in Asgard. Svikdag defeated and killed Halfdan, so Hadding raised an army to avenge his father. Loki drew up battle plans for Svikdag, and Hadding was defeated. Hadding was exiled and he became a fugitive. The Vainr also expelled Odin and the other Aesir from Asgard. In time, Hadding raised another army, and his battle plans were given to him from Odin. It was in the battle campaign to route Svikdag from his home territory that Hadding arrayed his battle forces in the wedge formation. Thus, in Schwebia, Hadding developed the wedge formation of small arms combat at about the same time that the famous battle formation called the "Roman Flying Wedge" was being developed in Rome. Hadding's victory was complete. The enemy forces were routed from his home and Svikdag was killed. The Aesir also won their way back into Asgard and routed the Vainr. Hadding was given the honorific of Speidel (wedge) and awarded the arms of three silver wedges on a field of red. I have designated the above story as Legend/Lore for obvious reasons. However, there are indications that the story is based upon truth: Several references, even as early as 53 AD, state that "The Germans were accustomed to drawing up their battle lines in wedges." Arms, or Wappen in Germany were not ordinarily given to individuals or families. Arms are associated with places, such as cities, and larger political divisions of territory. However, since the earliest times, the Speidel Family has been associated with arms, and they were always based upon the motif of three silver wedges. One branch of the family did adopt wooden wedges in keeping with the cooper trade, but that was in more modern times. In 1096 AD three members of the Speidel family were in the Austrian Contingent of the First Crusade. At this time their arms each carried the helm of a knight, and the arms remained in this form until the days of the Holy Roman Empire. During the days of the Holy Roman Empire, one of the family was raised to nobility in the church, and the helmet was changed to a Baron's crown. The Baron also rendered the name in the Latin form of Speidlius. In the 14th century Veit (Vitus) Speidel was captain of the city forces, and he was killed in 1380 at the Battle of Doeffingen in the War of the Cities, which the latter were carrying on against Count Eberhard of Württemberg, who was then called der Greiner (the Crumbler). Many other Spidells through the years have served as warriors with honor in the Armies of the world, to build up a noble tradition in support of the honorific and arms, "Battle Wedge of Odin". As far as the family has been traced, the lines go back to only one place in Germany, Baden-Württemberg, which indicates fairly certainly, that the name was not one that was given out freely to other families, ie: all coopers (barrel makers).