| ![Show Contents]() Deeds History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The Deeds surname finds its earliest origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name is derived from the baptismal name Dade. This Old English personal name was originally derived from the Old English word daed, when translated means a deed or an exploit. Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames. Early Origins of the Deeds familyThe surname Deeds was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. Early History of the Deeds familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Deeds research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1621, 1650, 1658 and 1662 are included under the topic Early Deeds History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Deeds Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Deeds are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Deeds include: Dade, Dadey, Dady and others. Early Notables of the Deeds familyNotables of this surname at this time include: Reverend Thomas Dade, Rector of Broadway and Bincombe in Dorset; and Major Francis Dade (1621-1662), also known as John Smith, a Virginia politician and...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Deeds Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Deeds RankingIn the United States, the name Deeds is the 9,985th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 Migration of the Deeds familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Deeds or a variant listed above: John Dade who settled in Virginia in 1676; William Dade settled in Charlestown Massachusetts in 1630; Dorothy Dadey settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Deeds (post 1700) | + |
- Robert Creigh Deeds (b. 1958), American Democratic nominee for Governor of Virginia in 2009
- Edward Andrew Deeds (1874-1960), American engineer, inventor, and industrialist
- Robert Creigh Deeds (b. 1958), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Virginia State House of Delegates, 1992-2001; Member of Virginia State Senate 25th District, 2001- 2
- Leonard Weaver Deeds (1880-1953), American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for West Virginia State Senate 13th District, 1934; Chair of Upshur County Democratic Party, 1940-46 2
- Gary Deeds, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Summers County Democratic Party, 1975 2
- Brigadier General Sir Wyndham Henry Deeds CMG, DSO (1883-1956), Chief secretary to the British High Commissioner of the British Mandate of Palestine
- KBE, MC, PC, DL William Francis Deeds (1913-2007), British Conservative Party politician, soldier and journalist
| Historic Events for the Deeds family | + |
- Mr. Leslie Maddocks Deeds, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales May 1941 and died at the battle of Denmark Strait, before the sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales 3
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