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

DeZee, 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 DeZee surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of DeZee in America

DeZee is the 140756th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The DeZee surname appeared 109 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname DeZee.

The history of the last name DeZee

The surname Dezee is of Dutch origin, with the earliest incidences of the name tracing back to the Netherlands in the late Middle Ages, around the 14th or 15th century. The name is thought to have originated as a toponymic surname, derived from geographical features or locations. In this case, it is likely connected to the Dutch words "de Zee," which translate to "the sea," referring to regions near coastal areas or waterways.

The earliest recorded example of the name Dezee can be found in various parish records and manuscripts from the 16th century. One notable instance is in a 1572 baptismal record in the coastal town of Vlissingen, where a family by the surname Dezee was documented. These early records indicate that the family likely resided in maritime communities, possibly involved in fishing, trade, or other sea-related occupations.

Throughout history, the surname Dezee appeared in several variations, including De Zee and Dezée, due to differences in regional dialects and orthography. By the 17th century, the name consolidated into the more consistent spelling of Dezee, particularly in the official records and tax documents of the Dutch Republic.

One notable person bearing the surname Dezee was Jan Dezee, a renowned merchant born around 1620 in the bustling port city of Rotterdam. He played a significant role in the Dutch East India Company's trade expeditions. Historical records from the period detail his numerous voyages to the East Indies, contributing significantly to the commercial prosperity of the Dutch Republic during the Golden Age.

Another prominent figure with this surname was Maria Dezee, born in 1678 in Amsterdam. As one of the few women documented in trade memberships for the era, she managed a successful shipping business, an unusual feat for a woman in the early 18th century. Her business records from 1705 to 1720 offer a rare glimpse into the involvement of women in maritime trade.

In the field of the arts, Pieter Dezee, born in 1734, was a well-known painter from The Hague, recognized for his detailed seascapes. His works, which beautifully captured the essence of the Dutch coastline, are still admired in art galleries and private collections today. Records from The Hague Art Guild note his membership and contributions to the Dutch art scene.

By the 19th century, the name Dezee had spread beyond the Netherlands due to migration. Hendrik Dezee, born in 1802, moved to the United States in the early 1830s, where he became a notable figure in early Dutch-American communities. Hendrik’s letters and diaries, now preserved in historical archives, provide valuable insights into the immigrant experience of the era.

Finally, Sophie Dezee, born in 1861, made significant strides in education as a pioneering female educator in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). Her efforts in establishing schools for local children are well-documented in colonial educational records, highlighting her contributions to advancing education in the colonies.

The historical journey of the surname Dezee reflects its deep ties to maritime culture and Dutch heritage, with individuals bearing the name leaving notable imprints on trade, art, and education across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name DeZee

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for DeZee 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.

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

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

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