Submitted Surname Revision History

This interesting surname has two possible derivations. Firstly, it may derive from the Olde English pre-7th Century personal name "Deora", Middle English "Dere", which is in part a short form of various compound names with the first element "deor", dear, and in part a byname meaning "Beloved". However, in some instances, it may have originated from the Olde English "deor", Middle English "dere", a wild animal, deer, which was perhaps used as a nickname for someone who bore a fancied resemblance to a wild animal, or one who was swift or timid.