Surname Deker - Meaning and Origin

Deker: What does the surname Deker mean?

The last name Deker is of German and Dutch origin. It is a variant of the surname "Decker," which means "roofer," or "one who covers roofs with tiles or shingles." This name appears to have been originally derived from the Medieval Germanic word "dekkon," which could be translated to mean "to cover."

In Germany, the spelling of Decker is commonly used, as well as Deckers and Deke, whereas the spelling of Deker is mostly seen in Amsterdam and other areas of the Netherlands. In some parts of the United States, especially in areas with large German and Dutch populations, the spelling Deker can sometimes be seen as well.

The surname Deker has a strong following in some countries, notably in Germany and the Netherlands, where it is seen as a traditional native surname. It is also more commonly seen in countries with large German and Dutch populations such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and various parts of Europe.

The surname Deker is believed to have been quite popular during the 12th and 13th centuries when roofers were in demand. This is also a reminder of the important contributions of roofers throughout history and how their work has had an impact on the development and protection of many cities and towns.

Deker: Where does the name Deker come from?

The last name Deker is most commonly found in Germany, where it is mainly concentrated in the northern part of the country. According to some estimates, there are over 5,000 people who bear the name in Germany. The name is also found in the United States, where it is estimated that there are around 1,200 people with the surname.

In Germany, the name is thought to derive from a short form of the given name Dietker. It is a patronymic, or derivation of the father's given name, and became dark-colored hair in German during the Middle Ages. Elsewhere, the name is believed to have originated as an occupational surname, changing from Decker, meaning roofer or thatcher, over the generations.

The name is also seen across Europe, in countries like France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, although it is not a particularly common surname in these countries. In the United Kingdom, fewer than 1,000 people are estimated to bear the name, with the majority of them found in London and the south-east of England.

In the United States, the surname was first found in large numbers among German immigrants who came to the country during the 19th century. They used it to maintain their ethnic identity after their arrival, and gradually spread out across the country. The highest concentration of Deker's today is found in the state of New York.

Overall, the surname Deker is of German origin, and is still mostly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries. However, the name has spread far and wide across Europe and the United States over the centuries, and is quite a common surname today.

Variations of the surname Deker

The surname Deker (or Dekker) is a patronymic surname derived from the Dutch or Low German personal name Dekker, meaning “writer” or “scribe”. This name was quite popular among the Dutch in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Variants of the surname Deker include Decer, Decker, Decher, Dechert, Deckert, Deckelman, Deel, Deele, Deelen, Deelmann, Deem, Deemer, Deene, Deener, Dillen, Docken, Dombrowski, Dohmann, Dollen, and Dullen.

The surname Deker is also found in other forms in other countries, including Deaker in England and Wales, Deccer in the Netherlands, Deker in France, Deger in Germany, Degher in Italy, and Deak in Hungary.

In some cases, other surnames derived from the same root have also come to be known as Deker. These include Dekker/Decker, Den Brinker/Brandeker, Den Boer/Boeker, Dijkman/Dieckman, Van Den Brink/Brandtekker, and others.

In addition, the surname has been occasionally anglicized to such forms as “Daycar”, “Decker”, “Decker”, “Decker”, “Dicker”, or “Dicker”, although the original Dutch spelling of “Deker” is still most common.

Overall, there are a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames that are all derived from the same Dutch root for the surname Deker.

Famous people with the name Deker

• Deker Depardi: Brazilian fútbol player
• Gudrun Deker: German actress
• Richard Deker: Australian classical pianist
• Fred Deker: American voice actor
• Ed Sanders Deker: American physicist and professor
• Giorgio Deker: Italian composer
• Peter Deker: Dutch television presenter and political Daily campaign leader
• Maksim Deker: Russian footballer
• Elin Deker: Swedish Olympic fencer
• Bernd Deker: German actor

Other surnames

Dekert