Find out how popular the last name Deem is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Deem.

Deem, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Deem surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Deem in America

Deem is the 9917th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Deem surname appeared 3,258 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Deem.

We can also compare 2010 data for Deem to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Deem

The surname Deem originated in England, derived from the Old English word "deme," meaning "to judge or decide." The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 12th century, appearing in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "de Deme."

This surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it is believed to have originated. The name was initially used to refer to individuals who held positions of authority, such as judges or local officials responsible for making important decisions within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, which mention a "William Deme." Another notable early bearer of the name was Sir John Deem, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the 14th century and played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War between England and France.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Deem also appeared with various spellings, such as Deme, Deeme, and Deam, reflecting the regional dialects and variations in pronunciation at the time. Some of these spellings were influenced by place names, such as the village of Deme in Kent, which may have contributed to the surname's evolution.

Notable individuals with the surname Deem throughout history include:

1. Thomas Deem (1567-1629), an English poet and playwright from Stratford-upon-Avon, known for his works praising the monarch and the Church of England.

2. Elizabeth Deem (1630-1707), a Quaker preacher and activist from Pennsylvania, who campaigned for religious tolerance and women's rights in the American colonies.

3. Sir William Deem (1712-1785), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War.

4. John Deem (1789-1864), an English industrialist and inventor who pioneered the use of steam power in textile manufacturing and contributed significantly to the Industrial Revolution.

5. Mary Deem (1854-1932), an American educator and suffragist from New York, who advocated for women's right to vote and equal educational opportunities.

The surname Deem has a rich history, spanning centuries and reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore it, from influential figures in politics, literature, and industry to pioneering activists and innovators.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Deem

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Deem.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Deem was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Deem has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Deem was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Deem, please contact us.

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