The name Dean has its origins in the Old English word "dæge" which means "day" or "servant of the day". It was commonly used as a title for various minor monastic officials or servants in medieval times. The name has been around since the 8th century AD and was initially used as a nickname or surname before becoming a given name.

In the early Middle Ages, the name was particularly popular in England and Scotland. It was also used in France, where it was spelled as "Dien" or "Dyan". The name has Latin roots and is related to words like "diurnus" meaning "daily" and "dies" meaning "day".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dean appears in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a collection of annals narrating the history of the Anglo-Saxons. It mentions a person named "Dene" in the year 676 AD.

Over the centuries, the name has been borne by several notable figures. One of the earliest was Dean Inge (1860-1954), a British priest, philosopher, and author who served as the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Another famous Dean was Dean Acheson (1893-1971), an American statesman who served as the United States Secretary of State from 1949 to 1953.

In the world of literature, the name is associated with Dean Koontz (born 1945), an American author known for his novels and short stories, many of which have been bestsellers. Dean Martin (1917-1995) was an iconic American singer, actor, and comedian who was part of the famous "Rat Pack" along with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.

Dean Cain (born 1966) is an American actor best known for his role as Superman/Clark Kent in the TV series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman". Dean Kamen (born 1951) is an American inventor and entrepreneur who created the Segway and several other innovative devices.