Surname Derricks - Meaning and Origin

Derricks: What does the surname Derricks mean?

The surname Derricks is of early English origin. It is derived from a medieval given name derived from an old Germanic personal name. The surname itself is a variant of Derrick. It was adopted into English in the Middle Ages and was used to refer to a gallows operator who hoisted or lowered hanged prisoners on the scaffold. The name was also occasionally given to someone whose job was to operate a crane or hoist.

The etymology of the name derives from the Old English pre 7th Century word "Deor", meaning wild animal. Thus, the meaning of the name is 'keeper of wild animals'. In some cases, Derricks may also have originally been a habitational name derived from a place named with the Old English word 'deor', which may indicate that the family of this name lived near a deor.

Derricks has evolved into other variants, such as Derick, Derek, Derric, Derrick, Darick and Darrick. Derricks is mainly found in the United States. In the United States, it is the 7,637th most popular surname according to US Census data for 2020. It is rare in England although there are a few occurrences in Shropshire, Norfolk and Devon.

The Derricks family motto is “Fiducia Veritatis” meaning ‘Trust in Truth’.

Derricks: Where does the name Derricks come from?

The last name Derricks is a relatively rare surname today, primarily found in the United States. It is most commonly found in Louisiana and Mississippi, where the name was picked up by French immigrants during the colonization of the region in the 1700s. In the 2000 United States Census, 566 people with the last name of Derricks were counted, with 54% of them living in Louisiana and 26% in Mississippi.

However, this last name has also been tracked in Canada, where it was taken by early French settlers in the 1600s and 1700s. Records show that the surname was first found in the province of Quebec, where it is still relatively common. The most recent Canadian census in 2016 recorded 1,117 people with the last name of Derricks living in the region.

Today, the Derricks surname can be found scattered throughout many states and provinces in North America. On a global scale, it is far less common but can still be found in countries with a French colonial history, such as Haiti and the former French colonies in Africa. This amount is almost certainly dwarfed by the Derricks population in the United States, Canada, and other places in North America.

Variations of the surname Derricks

The surname Derricks has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Amongst these variants are Derrick, Derick, Dorrick, Dorique, Derrik, Diric, Dirick, Derecks, Deryk, Deark, and Darrick.

Derrick is the most common variant of the surname, and is a variant of the Old French word "Dierik" which means "Ruler of the People." Derrek is a variant spelling of Derrick, and it is possibly derived from the Scottish surname Derreck. Dorrick, Dorrique, and Derrik are alternate spellings of the same name.

Diric, Dirick, Derecks, and Deryk are Dutch variations of the surname. It is derived from the Dutch "Dierick," meaning "Ruler of the People." Deark is a Dutch variant of the surname and is a pet form of the name "Dierick."

Finally, Darrick is a possible variation and is possibly derived from an Old French first name "Darrick," which is derived from the Latin word "Decurio," meaning "Leader."

Overall, the surname Derricks has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that can be traced back to the Old French, Dutch, and Latin languages.

Famous people with the name Derricks

• Devin Derricks: American professional basketball player.
• Nick Derricks: American professional basketball player.
• Paul Derricks: former English footballer.
• Phil Derricks: former English footballer.
• Robert Earl Derricks Jr.: American rapper, songwriter, and record producer.
• La'Derrick Derricks: American professional basketball player.
• Shemar Derricks: American professional basketball player.
• Tyler Derricks: American professional basketball player.
• Vilroy Derricks: former American football player.
• Nancy Derricks: American actress.
• Nate Derricks: American professional baseball player.
• Wilson Derricks: former professional Canadian football player.

Other surnames

Derrick