Surname Dechert - Meaning and Origin

Dechert: What does the surname Dechert mean?

The last name Dechert is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “Decker” which means “plank-maker” or “carpenter”. This is a occupational name for a person who worked in the woodworking industry. This surname is associated with many different spellings, such as DeChert, Deckert, Tchèrte and Ecchar, among others.

The name Dechert is mostly found in the regions of Baden-Württemberg, Hessen, and Southwest Germany. The name was first mentioned in the Landgericht of Frankfurt in 1284 in connection with a witness of a criminal trial.

Over time, the Dechert surname spread across Germany and other countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the United States. The surname is also found in parts of Austria and Switzerland, as well as in areas of German emigration in Canada, America, and Australia.

Today, the surname is most widely known in the context of the Dechert law firm, which has offices in 18 locations across the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom. This global legal practice was founded in Philadelphia in 1875 and has grown into one of the largest firms in the world.

The original meaning of Dechert is one tied to carpentry and woodworking, but it has evolved into something much more than that. Today, the Dechert surname is associated with a global law practice that helps to ensure justice, stability, and the basic rights of individuals all over the world.

Dechert: Where does the name Dechert come from?

The Dechert surname is derived from the German word "decke" for "roof." It is most commonly found today in Germany, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, and the Netherlands.

In Germany, the heaviest concentration of the Dechert surname is in the North Rhine-Westphalia area, followed by Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, and Lower Saxony. Outside of Germany, it is especially prevalent in Switzerland’s Canton of Zurich, France’s Alsace Lorraine area, and the Netherlands. It is also common in Austria, where the surname is spelled "Decker."

In the United States, the Dechert surname is moderately common, especially in the Midwestern states of Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin. It is also found to a lesser extent in Michigan, California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

There are also Dechert family lines in Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Germany, South Africa and Canada. All of these locations draw their origins from the same German Decke family name.

The Dechert surname appears to have been borne by a large and ancient family extending to many places over the centuries, with many branches of the same family now scattered far and wide.

Variations of the surname Dechert

Dechert is a German surname. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Dechert include Dechart, Decher, Decherte, and Deckert. It is believed to have originated in Germany but spread to other countries like the Netherlands, United States, Canada, and Austria.

The surname is thought to have come from the Old German words dachert, which translates to “hold fast”, or decker, which means “woodworker”. It is thought to be a regional or occupational name associated with a carpenter or someone who made furniture out of wood.

The many spellings of Dechert suggest that the surname changed over time. Decher, Decherte, and Deckert may have additional dialects outside of the German language. Decker and Decher could have Dutch or Frisian influence due to its widespread availability in the Netherlands.

In addition, the surname has been adopted in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere due to immigration and emigration. In the United States and Canada, the spelling Dechert tends to dominate over its variants, while Dechert and Decherte are more common in the Netherlands.

The Dechert surname is one of the oldest and most widely distributed surnames in Europe and around the world today. It is a testament to its historical versatility and ability to adapt to different languages and cultures.

Famous people with the name Dechert

• Laura Dechert: VP of Global Communications for Chemonics International
• Yak Dechert: African American artist
• Seth Dechert: American stand-up comedian
• Lauren Dechert: American professional wrestler
• David Dechert: German artist
• Hawley Dechert: American cyclist
• Ricky Dechert: American soccer player
• Stephen Dechert: American computer programmer
• Rainer Dechert: German photographer
• Maggie Dechert: American soccer player
• Omar Dechert: French middle distance runner
• Simon Dechert: German music composer
• Richard Dechert: American cinematographer
• Lysette Dechert: French actress
• Fritz Dechert: German theatre director
• Mason Dechert: American singer
• Grant Dechert: Australian football player
• Lierin Dechert: American musician
• Dana Dechert: American investment banker
• Tracy Dechert: American mixed martial artist

Other surnames

DechendDechentDecher