Surname Dekker - Meaning and Origin

Dekker: What does the surname Dekker mean?

Derived from Dutch, the last name Dekker is believed to have originated as an occupational surname. The word Dekker translates to mean 'thatcher', referring to someone who works in making and repairing thatched roofs. These kinds of roofs were common in Northern Europe centuries ago and required a lot of hard work and skill to install and maintain.

It is thought that the name Dekker may have referred to a particular family of thatchers over time and was eventually passed down from one generation to the next as a surname. The name can also be found as Decker and Dykker in its various Germanic and Dutch forms.

In more modern times, Dekker is a common last name throughout many different countries. Individuals with this surname have made their mark in a myriad of different fields including sports, politics, artwork, and literature. Many of these individuals have gone on to become extremely successful, making the name Dekker a well-recognized one.

No matter where you come from, the name Dekker carries a rich history of hard work and skill. As the world becomes increasingly connected, the surname Dekker continues to be a celebrated combination of letters that bring with it a proud legacy.

Dekker: Where does the name Dekker come from?

The last name Dekker is a very common Dutch and German surname. In the Netherlands, it is estimated that about 45,000 people have the last name Dekker. This is a surname that gained some international fame, as it is the last name of Hugo Dekker, a Dutch artist whose paintings became famous all over the world in the early 20th century.

In Germany, the number of people with the last name Dekker is considerably lower than the Netherlands. The Dekker surname is still quite common in northern Germany, where more than 11,000 people with the last name Dekker live.

It is also estimated that more than 5,000 people in the United States of America carry the name Dekker. While it was not widely used by immigrants coming to the United States until after World War II, it is now one of the most recognizable surnames in the country.

Though many Dekkers reside around the world, their origin dates back to Holland and Germany. These countries are some of the most densely populated places for Dekker name holders, though other countries with sizable Dekker populations include, Belgium, Free City of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Canada.

The current family records for the Dekker name show that the family is divided into multiple branches, the biggest being the Holland Dekker, German Dekker, and American Dekker families. However, due to the popularity of this surname, this number is sure to grow in the years to come.

Variations of the surname Dekker

The surname Dekker can take many different forms, both in terms of spelling and origin. Depending on the country or region, Dekker may be spelled Dekker, DeKer, Dekar, Deckers, and Dekkers, all variations of the same Dutch surname. This spelling difference has also produced some alternative surnames, such as Decker, Dekkers, Deckker and Dekkerse.

The origin of the surname can also be traced back to its Dutch roots, with the etymology of the name stemming from the Dutch word "decker," meaning "worker." Alternately, Dekker may also have originated from the German or Dutch word "teut," meaning "people," in which case its origin can be traced back to a time when both Dutch and German were spoken.

Dekker is a relatively common surname, and can be found in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Croatia, and the United States. In America, the most common spelling of the surname is DeKer.

Along with the Dutch surname Dekker, the DeKers of the United States can also trace their ancestry back to the Netherlands, where their ancestors may have gone when they left their homeland in Germany. The Dutch variants Dekar and Dekkers are also found around the world, with a large population located in the Netherlands.

Some families have adopted spelling variations of the surname, including Decker, Deckkers and Dekkerse, among others. Some of these variants remain more popular in certain regions or countries, such as the Dutch variant Deckker and the German variant Deckers.

Famous people with the name Dekker

• Thomas Dekker: an actor and musician best known for his roles in films such as Forklift Driver Klaus: The First Day on the Job, The Stanford Prison Experiment, and Hero Wanted.
• Steven de Jongh: a Dutch cyclist, now retired, who competed in the Tour de France and other races during his professional cycling career.
• M. 't Hart: a Dutch writer and historian born in 1932 with the last name Dekker. He is best known for his historical works such as De Dag Waarop ik Doorkreeg Dat De Dingen Niet Slimmer Worden (The Day I Realized Things Weren't Getting Smarter).
• Laurens Dekker: a Dutch politician who was the leader of the Reformed Political League from 1966 to 1975.
• Martijn Dekker: a Dutch footballer who plays for Vitesse Arnhem in the Eredivisie.
• Henk Dekker: a Dutch filmmaker and screenwriter best known for his 1987 film Moor, starring Jeroen Willemsen and Jeroen Krabbe.
• Vincent van der Dekker: a Dutch actor, best known for his work in films such as The Leftovers, Liever Verliefd, and Way of the Vogel.
• Teun Dekker: a Dutch football player who played in the top leagues in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. He has played for clubs such as PSV Eindhoven, FC Utrecht and NAC Breda.
• Ger Dekker: a Dutch photographer and film director who has been involved in several high-profile projects, such as the award-winning documentary The Last Word.
• Wilhelmina Dekker: a Dutch swimmer who competed in the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics. She is best known for her silver medal performance in the 200m butterfly at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

Other surnames

DekkersDekkert