Specht is a German and Dutch surname meaning "woodpecker" (from Old High German speht). The name was probably originally a nickname for a person with a long nose, a talkative person, or someone associated with the bird's behavior or habitat.Origins and DistributionThe surname is most common in Germany, especially in the southern regions, and also occurs in the Netherlands. Variants include the English Speight.Notable BearersNotable individuals with the surname include:August Specht (1849–1923), German natural history painterGünther Specht (1914–1945), German fighter ace in the Luftwaffe during World War IIKarl-Wilhelm Specht (1894–1953), German infantry general during World War IIHarald Specht (born 1951), German scientist and authorJohann Georg Specht (1721–1803), German civil engineer and architectBobby Specht (1921–1999), U.S. figure skaterLéonard Specht (born 1954), French professional footballerHarry Specht (1929–1995), U.S. social worker and dean at UC BerkeleyDoug Specht (1942–2025), Canadian football player