Derek
An occupational surname derived from the Old English "Deor-ric" meaning "ruler of deer".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 240 Americans carry the last name Derek. That puts it at #85,659 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.07 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,428,143 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Derek 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
240
1 in 1,428,143
Census rank
#85,659
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
218
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 218 bearers of the surname Derek in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 85659th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Derek, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.9%) and Hispanic (5.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Derek
The surname Derek has its origins in England, where it emerged in the medieval era as a variant of the Old English name Dioric or Deric. This name is derived from the elements "deor," meaning "beloved" or "precious," and "ric," meaning "ruler" or "power."
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Derek date back to the 12th century. One notable example is found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1191, which mention a person named Walter Derecc. Another early reference is in the Curia Regis Rolls of Staffordshire from 1199, where a Walter Derec is listed.
During the 13th century, the surname Derek began to appear in various records across England. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 include entries for individuals named John Derech and Richard Derec. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275 mention a Walter Derk.
As the surname spread across different regions, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Derrick, Derrik, and Derick. These variations can be found in various historical documents, including the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, which list a person named William Derrik.
Prominent individuals who bore the surname Derek throughout history include:
1. Sir Thomas Derek (c.1570-1638), an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1628.
2. William Derek (c.1610-1678), an English clergyman and author known for his work "The Spiritual Navigation" published in 1665.
3. John Derek (1638-1704), an English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the development of the Gregorian calendar.
4. Elizabeth Derek (1680-1756), an English poet and playwright whose works included the tragedy "The Fatal Marriage" (1720).
5. George Derek (1755-1823), a British naval officer who played a crucial role in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
The surname Derek was also associated with various place names, such as Derkshire in Lancashire, which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Derchescire." This suggests that the name may have been derived from a geographic location or had connections to specific regions within England.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Derek
Among Census respondents with the surname Derek, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.9%) and Hispanic (5.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Derek 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 Derek surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White81.7%
- Black or African American6.9%
- Hispanic or Latino5.0%
- Two or more races3.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Derek 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 | #85,659 | #85,659 | 0.0% |
| Count | 218 | 218 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Derek bearers went from 218 to 218 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #85,659 to #85,659.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Derek
FAQ
Derek surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Derek?
The surname Derek holds position #85,659 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 240 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Derek surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Derek, the largest self-reported group is White at 81.7%. The next largest groups are Black (6.9%) and Hispanic (5.0%). 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.