According to the Sovereign Heraldry, the family motto is:

"Virtutis Honor Praeiu" or "Honor is the Reward of Virtue"

In Canada, there are approximately 442 heads of households with the Sparling name, with a total of about 1547 persons.

Thorne, Quebec was the original home of Catherine and John F. Sparling.

TOWNSHIP OF THORNE by Vemer Thrun

In the county of Pontiac, Township of Thorne,

Came pioneer settlers, travel worn.

It is now a hundred years or more,

Since wind-driven ships brought them to shore.

From across the stormy sea they came,

To start a life that would not be the same.

Beginning anew with hopes and cheer,

Looking forward with never a fear.

For a piece of land was the greatest need,

To plant some potatoes and sow some seed.

A log shanty, small but warm and dry,

Had to be built before snow would fly.

For winters were long and deep with snow,

And the temperatures dropped to 50 below.

The land was hilly, stony and rough,

Which made good farming kind to tough.

But the loam soil was what they called "sweet",

And grew good crops of peas, oats and wheat.

Taken from "Up the Hills to Home", Centennial Committee, Ladysmith, Quebec.