Surname Deer - Meaning and Origin
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Deer: What does the surname Deer mean?
The last name Deer is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is believed to have been derived from a place name or a personal name. The Old English word 'dēor' means 'wild animal'. This name was likely taken on by someone who lived in or near an area known for its wild animals, i.e. a deer park or thicket.
The surname Deer may also have been derived from a Middle English nickname that referred to someone who was able to hunt or track wild game, possibly from a previous family name or personal name. There is also the possibility that the surname could have been simply adopted as a surname by an individual who was associated with a particular deer-related trade or activity, since it was a common practice for a person to take on the name of their profession as a surname.
In modern times, it is one of the more popular surnames in the United Kingdom. It is also common in other places around the world, especially in English-speaking countries. It is a nice, simple surname which may have multiple origins, so it appeals to people of different backgrounds.
Though its origins are unclear, the history of the surname Deer has remained important through generations. It continues to be an interesting part of family and cultural heritage today.
Order DNA origin analysisDeer: Where does the name Deer come from?
The last name Deer can be found all over the world today, but it is most commonly found amongst populations in English-speaking countries. In the United States, for instance, the most recent census shows that Deer is especially prominent in the Midwest region, with concentration points in the states of Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
The name Deer also occurs in relatively high numbers in Canada, appearing most strongly in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. In the United Kingdom, Deer can be found in England and Scotland, with notable regions including Yorkshire, Oxfordshire, and Hertfordshire.
Furthermore, in the past two centuries Deer has been especially popular travelling to overseas destinations, particularly Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Numerous families of British, Irish and Scottish origin bearing the name have made the journey across the Atlantic in search of a new life in the colonies.
In conclusion, with its strong presence in places like the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, and various former British colonies, the last name Deer is still very much alive and thriving in present times.
Variations of the surname Deer
The surname Deer is derived from the Middle High German word tier and the Old English word deor, meaning 'animal' or 'wild creature'. The variations and spellings of this surname include but are not limited to: Dear, Deere, Deor, Dearie, Deery, Deerex, Deerhake, Deerheart, Dier, Deers, Dearborn, Deerfield, Deereman, Deerwood, Deerdoff, and Deerbrook.
The original spelling of the surname was either Mannsdeer, as used by Albrecht von der Deer in 1235, or Dyere, as used by Alexander Dyere in 1272. In England, the earliest record of the Dear family dates back to 1279 when the spelling was Deere.
Surnames like Gear and Geer are also related to Deer. They originate from two different Germanic languages, with one being derived from Old Frisian and the other from Middle Dutch.
A variant of the surname is Dearborn, which typically originates from Old English as a place name meaning 'deer stream' and may refer to people who came from the town of Dearborn in England.
The similar Dearling surname also derives from the Middle English word 'deorling', which means 'darling' or 'treasured one'. As a surname, Dearling can be traced back to Wilbert Dearling in 1345.
Other variants of Deer include Deers, a North Germanic version of the word, and Deereman, an occupational name for a hunter or keeper of deer.
The surnames Deerhake and Deerheart may also be related to Deer, as Deerhake is a combination of the Old German word ‘haken’ (hook) and the Middle High German word ‘tier’ (animal), and Deerheart is an Old English word for deer-hearted or brave.
Famous people with the name Deer
- Jonathan Deer: an American neuroscientist specializing in the development and function of the brain
- Alana Deer: an American actress best known for her role as midwife Jenny Lee in the BBC drama series Call the Midwife
- Lindsay Deer: an American beauty queen who was crowned Miss Pennsylvania USA in 2015
- Lucas Deer: an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the heavyweight division of the UFC
- John W. Deer: an American electrical engineer who invented the first commercial electrocardiograph
- Mary Deer: an American attorney who was the first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney General in President Ronald Reagan’s cabinet
- Diane Deer: an American poet whose work has appeared in literary journals and anthologies
- Joey Deer: an American professional golfer who won the 2014 FedEx Cup championship
- Evin Deer: an American singer-songwriter who has released three critically acclaimed solo albums
- Chuck Deer: an American entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the world’s largest custom car business.