Surname Dedman - Meaning and Origin
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Dedman: What does the surname Dedman mean?
The surname Dedman is of English origin and is believed to have been derived from an old given name, Deodmund. It is believed to have appeared in England during the pre-medieval period and was first recorded in the 13th century. In the Middle Ages, a personal name was often adapted into a surname, and this practice is evident in the surname Dedman.
The name Dedman may have been derived from the Old English words deod, meaning “dear”, and mund, meaning “protection”. This combination of words may have symbolised a sense of security or peace, both of which were important aspects of life in the Middle Ages.
As is common with English surnames, Dedman originated as patronymic, meaning it was derived from the first name of a person’s father. It may have possibly been used to signify a son of Deodmund.
Historically, Dedman has been found mainly in the southern and western counties of England, particularly in the counties of Cornwall and Oxfordshire. The name has become more widespread in recent times, however, due to migrations to other parts of the world.
The name Dedman is believed to have been an occupational surname for those who continue to serve their community; as its Old English roots suggest, Dedman may have been used to describe those who provided protection, security or comfort. It may also be a representation of the struggles of rural life in the Middle Ages, symbolising a sense of resilience in the face of hardship.
Order DNA origin analysisDedman: Where does the name Dedman come from?
The last name Dedman is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. According to the Office of National Statistics, Dedman is one of the most common surnames in England and Wales. It peaked in popularity in the late 19th century and has been steadily declining in recent years.
Dedman is also found in Scotland, where it has been steadily declining since the middle of the 20th century. There are also a few occurrences of Dedman in Ireland. However, the name is not as popular there as it is elsewhere.
Outside of the United Kingdom, the name Dedman is extremely rare. Research suggests the name is found in small numbers in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The surname is also occasionally found in other European countries, such as Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
It appears that Dedman is mostly a British surname, with its popularity tied to the British Isles. As the name continues to decline in its areas of origin, it is likely to become even less common.
Variations of the surname Dedman
The surname Dedman has many variants and spellings, often originating from the same origin. These include Deadman, Dedham, Dydman and Dydmanne. The name itself can be considered a variation of Deadman, which was derived from the Middle English word “dodeman”. This term was used to describe a person who had died or been buried.
In Old English, the name was recorded as Ded or Dead, and later evolved into Dyd, an abbreviation of “Dedman”. The various spellings of Dedman are attributed to different dialects that arose in the Middle Ages, including English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh dialects.
In Scotland, the family name was spelled *Dydman, while in Ireland it was *Dedman. A variation of the spelling Deadman is also present in some Irish families and is written as *Deadmanne.
In England, the family name was generally spelled Dedman, although some may have adopted the variant *Dedham or *Dydman. In Wales, the surname is mostly found spelled as *Dydmanne or *Dydman.
The different spellings of Dedman are primarily the result of the changing dialects in Europe. Despite the different spellings, all are likely to have originated from the same roots in Old English and the various spelling variations are indicative of the regional influences and migrations of the Dedman family.
Famous people with the name Dedman
- Julie Dedman, British actress and producer.
- Anna Dedman, Canadian politician.
- David Dedman, American actor from "Coming to America" (1988).
- Michael Dedman, Queensland state politician (Australian Labor Party).
- Terry Dedman, American football player from the Cleveland Browns (1966-1968).
- Robert Dedman Sr., founder of ClubCorp, the largest golf club management company in the world.
- Jane Dedman, British scientist whose research focused on b Bryologist (mosses and liverworts).
- Charles P. Dedman, British lawyer and landowner in London.
- Steve Dedman, American aviation pioneer and creator of the first remote-controlled aircraft.
- Simon Dedman, British musician and composer.