Degg
An English surname derived from a nickname for someone with a prominent, sturdy physique.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Degg. That puts it at #135,593 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Degg surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#135,593
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
124
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 124 bearers of the surname Degg in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 135593rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Degg, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.6%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Degg
The surname DEGG is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "deag," which means "dye" or "color." This suggests that the name may have been originally associated with a person who worked as a dyer or dealt with colored materials.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273, where a certain John Degg is mentioned. Another early reference is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which lists a William Degg as a taxpayer.
During the Middle Ages, the DEGG surname was primarily concentrated in the counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset in the West Midlands region of England. It is possible that the name originated from a place name or a locality within these areas, as many surnames derived from the names of towns, villages, or geographical features.
Notable individuals bearing the DEGG surname include Robert Degg (1576-1638), an English clergyman and author who wrote a treatise on the Book of Common Prayer. Another prominent figure was Sir Samuel Degg (1619-1687), a lawyer and politician who served as Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the reign of Charles II.
In the 18th century, John Degg (1732-1811) was a successful merchant and landowner in Gloucestershire, known for his extensive property holdings and philanthropic endeavors. A century later, William Degg (1838-1916) made a name for himself as a prolific inventor, holding numerous patents for various mechanical devices.
One of the most famous individuals with the DEGG surname was Sir Wilfred Degg (1901-1978), a highly decorated British Army officer who served in both World Wars and received the Victoria Cross, the highest military honor in the United Kingdom.
Throughout its history, the DEGG surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Degg, Degge, Dege, and Deage, reflecting the inconsistencies in record-keeping and regional dialects of the time. Despite its relatively uncommon occurrence, the name has left a lasting legacy, particularly in the West Midlands region of England.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Degg
Among Census respondents with the surname Degg, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.6%.
The bar chart below shows how Degg bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Degg surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White97.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Degg surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #135,593 | #135,593 | 0.0% |
| Count | 124 | 124 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Degg bearers went from 124 to 124 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #135,593 to #135,593.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Degg
FAQ
Degg surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Degg?
The surname Degg holds position #135,593 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Degg surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Degg, the largest self-reported group is White at 97.6%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.