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

Dere, 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 Dere surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dere in America

Dere is the 64388th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dere surname appeared 309 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Dere.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dere 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 Dere

The surname Dere has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the word "deor," which means "deer" or "beast." It is believed to have originated in medieval England, where it was likely used as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a forest or worked as a hunter or forester.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Dere can be traced back to the 13th century in various parts of England. One of the earliest documented references is found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which mentions a person named "Willelmus Dere." Another early record comes from the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where a "Johannes le Dere" is listed.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Dere was often associated with places where deer or other wild animals were found. For example, the village of Dereham in Norfolk, England, derived its name from the Old English words "deor" and "ham," meaning "deer homestead" or "homestead where deer are found."

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Dere was John Dere (c. 1360-1439), an English Catholic priest and theologian who served as the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1426 to 1439. He played a significant role in the early development of the university and its educational policies.

Another prominent individual was Sir Ralph Dere (c. 1505-1568), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was known for his involvement in local affairs and his role in the dissolution of monasteries during the English Reformation.

In the 17th century, the surname Dere was also found in Scotland, where it was sometimes spelled as "Deir" or "Deer." One notable bearer was Robert Deir (1642-1708), a Scottish minister and author who served as the Principal of Marischal College in Aberdeen.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the surname Dere continued to be found in various parts of England and Scotland. Notable figures include William Dere (1774-1853), an English architect and surveyor who worked on several prominent buildings in London, and James Dere (1798-1876), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Edinburgh.

Throughout its history, the surname Dere has been associated with a wide range of occupations and professions, from foresters and hunters to clergymen, politicians, and business leaders. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England and the Old English language, the name has remained in use across various regions and continues to be a part of the rich tapestry of British surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dere

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

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 Dere 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 Dere 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 Dere was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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