The name Derrek is a variant spelling of the English name Derek, which originated as a surname derived from the Old English words "de" meaning "the" and "ric" meaning "rich" or "ruler". It was first recorded as a surname in the 13th century.

Derek became a popular given name in England during the Middle Ages, although its origins and exact meaning are unclear. Some sources suggest it may have been derived from the Germanic name Theodoric, which was composed of the elements "theudo" meaning "people" and "ric" meaning "ruler" or "powerful".

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name Derrek was Derrek de Ferriers, a Norman knight who lived in the 12th century. He was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1171.

Another notable historical figure with the name Derrek was Derrek Chaucer, the son of the renowned English poet Geoffrey Chaucer, who lived from around 1370 to 1435.

In the 16th century, Derrek de Armas was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expedition to Mexico in 1519.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Derrek Whitelocke was a prominent lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Long Parliament and as a commissioner of the Great Seal.

In the 18th century, Derrek Parkin was an English botanist and horticulturist who made significant contributions to the study of plants and their cultivation.

While the name Derrek has its roots in Old English and Germanic languages, it has been used across various cultures and regions over the centuries, with variations in spelling and pronunciation.