Surname Deetrick - Meaning and Origin

Deetrick: What does the surname Deetrick mean?

The last name Deetrick is a German-based surname, which is derived from the names Dieterich, Diedericus, or Dietrich.

The Germanic name Dieterich is composed of two elements. The first element eta means "estate, home, or house," while ricu means "power or might." Put together, the name can be interpreted to mean "power or might of the house."

Another possible origin may be from the personal name Diedericus, derived from the Old German (Teutonic) element dēod, meaning “people” combined with ric, meaning “power or rule.” When combined, this name means "ruler of the people" which would indicate a leader, governor, or ruler of a tribes or people.

In England, the surname Deetrick may have come from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Diddric, derived from dyd, meaning “anything that runs” and ric, meaning “power or rule.”

The last name Deetrick is a relatively uncommon surname, and is mainly found in parts of Germany, Scandinavia, and parts of the United States.

Deetrick: Where does the name Deetrick come from?

The last name Deetrick is most common in the United States. According to the 2020 census, there were nearly 3,800 people with the Deetrick surname living in the United States. This ranks the name as being the 8,847th most common surname in the country.

Deetrick is most concentrated in Pennsylvania, with an estimated 1,500 people in the state with the Deetrick surname. This concentration is due to the state’s history as Pennsylvania was originally settled by Dutch and German immigrants who brought their surnames with them. Interestingly enough the vast majority of Deetricks in the US live in just two counties in Pennsylvania - Lancaster (1,200 Deetricks) and Bucks (280 Deetricks).

The Deetrick family can also be found in Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. While the numbers are lower in these neighboring states, the name Deetrick does have some representation as those regions also have close historical ties to the original Dutch and German settlers of Pennsylvania.

The Deetrick surname is also scattered throughout the other states in the United States. The reservation of Native Americans in Oklahoma, for instance, has a small community of Deetricks. On the other side of the country, the Deetrick name can also be found in Washington and Oregon.

The last name Deetrick is now also found in other parts of the world, such as Canada, Germany, the UK, and Australia - largely due to generational emigration from the United States.

Variations of the surname Deetrick

The surname Deetrick has its origins in Germany. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are Detrick, Dettrick, Dudrick, Dedrick, Didrick and Dietrich. The surname has many alternative spellings, which can lead to confusion. German-speaking people may also spell it as Dietrich, Detrich, or Detrick, while other cultures may spell it as Dudrick, Dedrick or Didrick.

The pronunciation and spelling of surnames can often change over time and from one culture to another, even among people who can trace their family line back to the same distant ancestor. For example, the Germanic surname "Dietrich" may become Anglicized as "Deetrick" and "Dudrick" in America.

In the Netherlands and other Dutch-influenced cultures, the surname may be spelled as "Deetrick," while the shortened versions "Detrick" and "Dettrick" are both also used. In some cultures, it is even abbreviated to "Dee." Depending on the culture, it can also be spelt as "Deitrick," "Dietrick," "Dedrick," or more rarely "Didrick."

The surname Deetrick is often confused with other similar surnames, such as Dreher, Diehl, and Deitrich. However, these are all distinct surnames. In the case of Deetrick, the variants and spellings remain remarkably consistent throughout varying cultures and time periods.

Famous people with the name Deetrick

• Kim Deetrick: American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Kimona Wanalaya formerly known as the “Kamikaze Girl.”
• Kathy Deetrick: American contemporary artist known for creating acrylic on canvas abstract paintings.
• Paul Deetrick: American actor who is best known for his roles in various television shows and films such as "Secondhand Lions", "The OC" and "Lost".
• Bryce Deetrick: American rhythm guitarist and songwriter who has been involved with several bands and has released two EP's.
• Matthew Deetrick: Executive producer in the television and film industry who has won three Emmy Awards over the span of his career.
• AJ Deetrick: American musician and songwriter whose music has been published as well as featured in television and film.
• Jim Deetrick: Former NFL player who was a member of the New York Jets from 1973 until 1976.
• Pamela Deetrick: American therapist and marriage counsellor who has been featured in various books and television shows.
• Webster Deetrick: Curator at the Squid Ink Gallery, located in London, UK, focusing on contemporary art.
• Don Deetrick: American basketball coach who gave up his career to become an ordained minister.

Other surnames

Deetrich