William Shakespeare
"William Shakespeare"
There are more than 80 recorded variations of the spelling of William Shakespeare's name. In the few original signatures that have been recovered, Shakespeare spelt his name "Willm Shaksp," "William Shakespe," "Wm Shakspe," "William Shakspere," "Willm Shakspere" and "William Shakspeare." There is no evidence of him ever have spelling his name , "William Shakespeare", as we know him today. However it's spelt, his name his thought to be derived from the Old English words "schakken" (to brandish) and "speer" (spear).