Surname Derkum - Meaning and Origin
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Derkum: What does the surname Derkum mean?
The last name Derkum is of German origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the German words ‘der’ and ‘kum’, which translated mean 'from the village'. This suggests that the family likely originated from a small village many centuries ago.
The name then began to develop in various other variations over time, such as ‘Durechekom’, ‘Derckhoh’, ‘Derkheim’, and ‘Dirkom’. The surname can also be found as ‘Deckum’, ‘Dirkhem’, and ‘Dercken’, among many other versions.
The surname is found throughout Germany, particularly in the Midwest, as well as in the Netherlands. It is also widely found in the United States, where many members of the Derkum family emigrated to during the early 20th century in search of a better life.
The Derkum family is believed to have a long and successful tradition of farming in Germany. They were renowned for their agriculture and had a strong connection with the land. During their time in the US, many members of the family went on to have their own farms and were very successful in business.
Overall, the name Derkum is associated with a traversal of cultures, from Germany to the US, and a value for hard work and succeeding in business. It is a surname that has withstood the test of time and remains well known to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisDerkum: Where does the name Derkum come from?
The last name Derkum is most common today in Germany, where it can be found in multiple provinces throughout the country. The name is of German origin and its literal translation means "oak wood." The name is among the top 1,000 surnames, indicating it is not a rare name.
The name is also common in the Netherlands, where it is spelled "Derksen" and is in the top 500 surnames. The name is also somewhat common in the United States and Canada, mainly among German-American and Dutch-American populations.
The Derkum surname is also found in parts of Argentina, where people of German and Dutch heritage settled in the 19th century. It is also found in parts of South Africa, where Dutch people immigrated during the early 19th century. It is believed that some of the original German settlers of the United States also came from countries where the name Derkum is common.
In the United States and Canada, the name is most commonly spelled Derksen, while in other parts of the world it is typically spelled Derkum. No matter how it is spelled, the name is a reminder of the impact of those of German and Dutch heritage on modern society.
Variations of the surname Derkum
The surname Derkum has a number of different variants, spellings, and surnames that originate from the same source. The most common spelling is Derksen, which can also be spelled as Dirksen or Derks. Derkum can also be spelled as Dercken, Derckx, Dirckx, Dirkens, or Dircks.
The source for most of these surnames is the Germanic personal name Derk, which is derived from theod or theud, which means “people” or “race”. It is likely that the spelling of Derkum is derived from the Dutch spelling of the name, which evolved from the Middle Dutch version of the same name, Dircken.
Other surnames that come from the same source include Durk, Durrkop, Dirbach, Durke, Dirks, Dirxen, Dirksen, Derkman, Derkse, Derksen, and Dercken. These surnames can be found all over Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe, though their regional distributions vary.
In the United States, the name Derkum is most common in Dutch American and German American communities. It is also common among people of Jewish descent, suggesting that it likely originated from Germany, where Jews were persecuted and often changed their names to assimilate.
In most cases, the variants and spellings of Derkum derive from its Dutch spelling and pronunciation, though there are many variants and spellings that are found throughout Europe. The origin of these surnames lies in the Germanic personal name Derk, and other names that are derived from this source.
Famous people with the name Derkum
- Hubertus Derkum: renowned German actor who starred in a variety of film and television projects.
- Kevin Derkum: professional basketball player who made his debut in the 1992 season.
- Christian Derkum: vocalist and trombonist with the German big band Orchester Hilmar Alexander.
- Tobias Derkum: professor and Urologist at the Charité in Berlin.
- Alexander Derkum: notable entrepreneur and the founder of several successful German companies.
- Frans Derkum: Dutch professional footballer who played with FC Eindhoven from 2004 to 2013.
- Peter Derkum: design assistant for the Academy Award-winning costume designer Gabriella Pescucci.
- Martin Derkum: German politician and member of the North Rhine-Westphalia Green Party.
- Mark Derkum: former professional cyclist who represented the Netherlands at the 1992 Olympics.
- Ludo Derkum: Dutch Olympic swimmer who won gold in the 1976 Summer Games.