398. '_Spence_, or (according to the original French form of the word)
_despense_, was the closet or room in convents and large houses where the
victuals, wine, and plate were locked up; and the person who had the charge
of it was called the _spencer_, or the _despencer_. Hence originated two
common family names.'--Wright. The _spence_, however, like the _spencer_,
owed its name to the O.F. verb _despendre_, to spend; as explained in my
Etym. Dict. s. v. _spend_. See the Glossary. Lodge retains the name of Adam
Spencer; whence Adam in Shakespeare.