Surname Dacre - Meaning and Origin
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Dacre: What does the surname Dacre mean?
The last name Dacre is of both English and Scottish origin. It has multiple historical meanings, and the earliest record of the name dates back to the 12th century.
While the source of the name Dacre is still debated, one theory suggests that it was derived from the Old Norse word “dáski” for “dale”, describing someone from the valley or from a vale. The name was subsequently adopted by people who lived in the valley and upon the vale, and as a result could arguably be a geographic name or even a topographical name.
The name Dacre can also be found in a place name in northern England, which is believed to have originated from the Norman family name of de Aker in the 12th century. It is thought that the family eventually settled in the area and adopted the family name of Dacre. In this regard it was a habitation name, originating from a place of residence.
As a Scottish name, the name unofficially refers to those born in the county of Annandale. The Dacre family is known to have established a presence in Cumberland in 1239 and later obtained control of the barony of Gilsland in 1276.
Overall, the surname Dacre is full of rich history and is believed to have multiple origins. It is a captivating and unique name, and those who bear the moniker are proud of their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisDacre: Where does the name Dacre come from?
The last name Dacre is most commonly found in England, particularly in the North of the country. In the late nineteenth century this surname was particularly frequent in the counties of Westmoreland, Cumberland and Durham, but today Dacre is also quite common in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Northumberland. There are also a few families of this name in Scotland, particularly in the counties of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.
In the 1881 British Census, over 4,000 people recorded their name as Dacre. This number had grown to almost 5,000 by 1901. Even today, over 2,500 people in the UK hold the surname.
The name is believed to have originated in the area near Ripon in Westmorland, which derived its name from De Aquila. The first record of the surname was in the 12th century, when Osbert de Acra paid a fine to the court at Yorkshire. Over time, the name eventually evolved to Dacre.
The Dacre family can trace its roots back to Oswald de Dacre, who fought for Henry III in the 13th century. The family later went on to achieve great esteem and privilege, and were Lord Lieutenants of Westmoreland and Cumberland. Humphrey Dacre, Baron Dacre of Gilsland, and his son, Thomas, were prominent figures in the 16th century, frequently at the service of King Henry VIII. In 1839, the Dacre family also acquired the barony of Greystoke.
Today, the name is still held in great esteem, with numerous family members having gained various knighthoods and peerages in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Dacre
The surname Dacre has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants include:
- Dakar
- Daeger
- Deaker
- Dakker
- Deicher
- Dakur
- Daker
- Decore
- Decar
- Daicar
- Dacca
The surname Dacre is a variant of the Old French given name D'Acier, which was brought to England by Norman settlers after the Norman Conquest in 1066. It was most likely derived from the Latin word 'accia', meaning steel. Over time, the pronunciation and spelling of the surname changed as regions diversified and more surnames developed.
The Norman conquest also helped spread the surname throughout England. Various regions adopted unique spellings of the surname, most likely to identify their regional dialects and local pronunciations. These variations of the spelling Dacre include several popular surnames, such as:
- Daicar
- Deckare
- Decar
- Declair
- Dekker
- Dencher
- Domeire
- Doamire
- Doaumer
- Dokar
- Doscar
The Dacre family name is of Anglo-Norman and Old French origin. The meaning of the name is itself a reflection of the family's esteemed background and the great feats accomplished by its early members during the Norman Conquest. It is a proud and noble family, and its legacy is testament to the strength and character of its original members.
Famous people with the name Dacre
- Piers Dacre, 9th Baron Dacre, member of the British House of Lords
- Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gillesland, English peer
- Amanda Dacre, British producer and script editor
- Ralph Dacre, English baron in the 12th century
- Teresa Dacre, British costume designer
- Lord Dacre, British peerage title
- Henry Dacre, English poet
- Jack Dacre, British theatre critic and playwright
- Chris Dacre, British radio presenter and producer
- Clive Dacre, British professional squash player