1590s, «born out of wedlock», from the Latin spurius «illegitimate, false» (source also from Italian spurio, Spanish espurio), from spurius; This term is also a noun. «illegitimate child», probably from the Etruscan spural «public». The meaning of «irregular origin, not properly constituted» dates back to about 1600; that of «Forgery, imposture» dates from the 1610s; writing, etc., «not starting from the source, 1620s. Related: False; Falsity. The classical Latin adjective spurius began as a word meaning «illegitimate.» In ancient Rome, it was even sometimes used as a first name for illegitimate offspring (apparently without adverse effects). There was, for example, a certain Spurius Lucretius, who was appointed temporary magistrate of Rome. In less tolerant times, the 18th century English writer Horace Walpole noted that Henry VII. «came from the bad tribe of John of Gaunt.» Today, we still use false to mean «illegitimate», but the most common meaning is «false» (a meaning introduced in late Latin in false). Originally, our «false» meaning emphasized inappropriate origin and still does so often («a false signature»), but it can also simply mean «false» or «not real». (You may find false in the Encyclopedia of Universal Law and Etimology more terms). Do not start from the true source; shine; False. A counterfeit banknote may be a legitimate print of the actual record, but it must bear the signatures of individuals, not the officers of the bank from which it was issued, or the names of fictitious persons.
A counterfeit note can also be an illegitimate print of a real plaque or the imprint of a fake sign, but it must have the signatures or names we have just indicated. An invoice can therefore be both false and false, or both false and false, but it cannot be both false and false. Kirby v. State, 1 Ohio St. 187. A synonym for «fake» meaning «fraudulent in nature». Supported by Black`s Law Dictionary, Free 2nd ed., and The Law Dictionary. Late Latin and Latin; Late Latin spurius false, from Latin, of illegitimate birth, from spurius, name, bastard.