Surname Derrick - Meaning and Origin
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The decision to undertake an iGENEA DNA test yielded far more than I bargained for, dramatically impacting my understanding of my own identity and the story behind my surname, 'Derrick.' Surprising discoveries about my ancestral makeup transformed my broad perception of ancestry, while shedding light on significant events of migration and intermingling that shaped my family's history.
C. Derrick
read moreDerrick: What does the surname Derrick mean?
The surname Derrick is derived from the personal name 'Derek', itself a variant of 'Theodoric'. Theodoric is a Germanic name composed of two elements: “þeudo”, meaning 'a people' or 'a nation', and “ric” meaning 'a ruler' or 'a power'. So, the name basically signifies "ruler of the people" or "people's ruler". It was popular among Anglo-Saxon settlers in England and became more popular after Norman Conquest in the middle ages. The old version of the name could have been brought to England by the Anglo-Saxons during their invasions and settlements. They did so to stand out from the indigenous Britons, replicating a pattern seen across cultures throughout history where conquerors denote their dominance by imposing their own names. Over time, the name morphed into Derrick, among other variations. There is also a theory that Derrick could be derivative from an occupation as it also refer to a hangman, specifically derived from a famous British executioner named Thomas Derrick in the 1600s who innovated the execution method by implementing a beam with a rope to hang people.
Order DNA origin analysisDerrick: Where does the name Derrick come from?
The last name Derrick is an Anglo-Saxon surname and is found mostly in the United Kingdom and the United States.
In the UK, the surname is most common in Kent and London. In London, the name is particularly concentrated in the North London boroughs of Islington, Camden, and Hackney. It is fairly common in the Midlands, in Leicestershire and Worcestershire, and is also present in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In the US, the name is most common in the Northeast and Midwest states. It is particularly prevalent in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, New York, and Virginia. In these states, the name is thought to originate primarily from immigrants who arrived in the United States during the 19th century.
The last name Derrick is also found somewhat further afield in the Caribbean, Central and South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
In total, according to data extracted from the 2019 US census, over 60,500 Americans bear the last name Derrick. This places it at 862nd in the list of most common surnames in the United States.
Variations of the surname Derrick
Derrick is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English 'DeorcyNING', meaning `king of the wild animals'. Variants of the surname include Derrik, Derrike, Dirick, Dyrick, Durric, Derric, and Derreck. Spellings can vary from Deric, Derrick, Derek, Derik, Diric, Dyrick, Durrick, Duric, Darrick, Darick, Darek, Derrek, Durrek, Derric and Derek.
In Ireland, the surname is more often spelled Derrisk while Derbyshire’s Derrickson and Derricott are particularly associated with the Midlands. It can also be spelt as Darrickson or Darricot.
In Scotland, Derrick is most commonly found in Aberdeenshire. Most of the families who bear the name are thought to have descended from one ancestor, likely named Diricke.
In the United States, the surname is predominately found in the Southern States. The surnames Darricks,Durricks, and Derricks have numerous bearers in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, respectively.
Other variants and spellings of Derrick can also be found in English-speaking countries like New Zealand and Australia. The surname can be found as Dirric, Dorrick, Derricott, Darriages, and Derham in Australia and as Durric, Dirig, and Derrick in New Zealand.
In Germany, a branch of the Derrick family emigrated in the 1700s and subsequently Germanised their surname as “Derichs”. This is now a very common surname in such regions as Hesse, Lower Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt.
In France, one can find spellings like Derrico, Derreyco, or Derreka, all largely borne by individuals in Brittany and Normandy.
Famous people with the name Derrick
- Derrick Coleman: NFL fullback for the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, and Arizona Cardinals
- Derrick Rose: NBA basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Derrick Lewis: Mixed martial artist for the Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Derrick Mason: NFL wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans
- Derrick Brooks: NFL linebacker
- Derrick Odom: NFL defensive end
- Derrick Alexander: NFL wide receiver
- Derrick White: NBA basketball player
- Derrick Coleman Jr.: NFL running back
- Derrick Uyesugi: Former Hawaii electronics company murderer