Surname Deatrick - Meaning and Origin

Deatrick: What does the surname Deatrick mean?

The last name Deatrick is of German and English origin, with alternative spellings such as Dieterich, Deitrich, Detrich, Dietrick, and Deitrick. The name is derived from the German for “people of the people” and may have been used as a nick-name to identify someone who was a popular member of their community.

The common German root of the surname is "diet," which translates to "people," and "rik," which translates to "ruler," reflecting the status of its bearers. It is believed that during the Middle Ages, Deatrick was held by several noble families, and some of their descendants today still bear the name.

In the United States and England, the Deatrick surname is most commonly found in Amish and Mennonite communities. The surname is thought to have derived from the migration of German settlers during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Alternatively, the Deatrick surname may also have originated from England, with an alternate spelling “Dettrick.” This spelling suggests a French heritage, as it is suggesting French derivation of the Old English surname Dettword, which means “tel phridge” meaning “enclosed passageway.”

The Deatrick surname boasts a centuries-old history that has linked it to prominent noble families in Europe and was carried over through the ages, often left as a legacy in honor of its original holders. As such, its original holders were undoubtedly respected and renowned individuals who left a lasting impression on those who followed.

Deatrick: Where does the name Deatrick come from?

The last name Deatrick is most commonly found in the Midwestern United States, particularly in Pennsylvania and Ohio. It is believed that the surname originated in Germany, likely in the Rhineland area of the then-Holy Roman Empire. The name may have derived as a occupational surname, when a person with the surname Deatrick served as a tailor or similar textile worker.

The ancestral home of Deatrick families today remains in Pennsylvania and Ohio, although the surname has spread to other parts of the country like California, Florida and Michigan. In Ohio, the Deatrick surname is scattered throughout the state, from metropolitan Cleveland to northern Bryan. In Pennsylvania, the surname is concentrated in the southwestern portion of the state and has spread further into certain areas of West Virginia.

Today, the Deatricks are still widely dispersed. As their ancestral home in the Midwestern US continues to grow with new families and businesses, the name has also spread along with the growth. Regional surnames like Deatrick typically stay within families for generations, giving future generations Deatrick surnames to carry on.

Variations of the surname Deatrick

The surname Deatrick has several variants, spellings, and surnames that are related by origin. Common spellings include Deatrick, Dietrich, Dieterich, and Detrick. All of these versions of the surname come from the Germanic root words “Diet,” meaning “people” and “rich,” meaning “ruler”, derived from the name of Theodoric, a 5th century king and a Germanic hero.

The original spelling, Deatrick, is a combination of the two Germanic root words, indicating a powerful family or ruler of a people. Alternative spelling variants of the surname Dietrich, Dieterich, and Detrick likely originated as nicknames, indicating a family member’s superior ruling skills.

Variations on the Deatrick surname include Deutrich, Tedrick, Detreich, Detryck, Dietritz, Dietrick, Dedrick, Deidrich, and Diedrick. Other surnames of similar origin include Theodoric, Dieter, and Theodrick. Deiversal is also an intriguing variation, derived from the Latin Deus, meaning “God”, and “Vera”, meaning “truth”, indicating a high degree of trust in a powerful God.

These variants of the surname Deatrick have evolved over time and spread across the world with people of Germanic descent. They are now found in various countries, most prominently in the United States.

Famous people with the name Deatrick

• Katie Deatrick: professional soccer player and Olympian, member of the US Women's National Soccer Team and National Soccer Hall of Fame.
• Hank Deatrick: American football guard and linebacker for the Cleveland Browns during the 1950s and 1960s.
• Thomas E. Deatrick: politician who served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 5th district from 1965 to 1975.
• Jonathan Deatrick: American contemporary artist and painter based in New York City.
• Jack Deatrick: former professional American football player who played offensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams in 1981.
• Frank Deatrick: General of the United States Army and commanding general of the US Seventh Army during World War II.
• Charles L. Deatrick: American engineer, researcher and inventor who developed the atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project.
• Barbara Deatrick: actress and model most well known for her roles on the television series Dynasty and Knots Landing.
• Dwight E. Deatrick: Marine Corps officer who was decorated for his actions in the Vietnam War.
• Luke Deatrick: professional golfer who won the U.S. Amateur, the California State Amateur Championship, and the Virginia State Open in 2018.

Other surnames

Deatrich