Show ContentsDerrick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish names tend to vary widely in their spelling and overall form. The original Gaelic form of the name Derrick is Ó Deirg, from the word "dearg," which means red. 1

Early Origins of the Derrick family

The surname Derrick was first found in County Mayo (Irish: Maigh Eo) located on the West coast of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat in the baronies of Carra, Erris, and Tyrawley. They were descended from Fiachra, brother of Niall Mor, more commonly known as King Niall of the Nine Hostages, perhaps Ireland's greatest General/King.

Early History of the Derrick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Derrick research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1557, 1578, 1601, 1608 and 1656 are included under the topic Early Derrick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Derrick Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of the surname Derrick can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include Derig, O'Derig, O'Derrig, Derrig, Derieg, Derick, Derrick, O'Derick, O'Derrick, O'Durrig, Durrig, Derigan, Derigen and many more.

Early Notables of the Derrick family

Notable among the family name at this time was

  • Donogh Dáll Ó Derrig, aka Blind Donogh O'Derrick, Irish rapparee, executed December 1656
  • Thomas Derrick (fl. 1608) was an English executioner. Little is known of his lineage. However, he was convicted of rape, and was subequently pardoned if he became the executioner at Tyburn. Derrick ex...
  • John Derricke (fl. 1578), was author of the 'Image of Ireland,' and was the follower of Sir Henry Sidney, and the friend of his son, Sir Philip. He may have been the Mr. Derricke who, in 1557, was emp...

Derrick Ranking

In the United States, the name Derrick is the 3,330th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 2


United States Derrick migration to the United States +

A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the Derrick name:

Derrick Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Victor Derrick, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 3
  • Mary Derrick, aged 19, who landed in Maryland in 1637 3
  • Francis Derrick, who arrived in Virginia in 1639 3
  • Thomas Derrick, who arrived in Virginia in 1655 3
Derrick Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Simon Derrick, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 3
  • the Widow Derrick, who settled in Georgia in 1738 with two sons and two daughters
  • George Derrick, who arrived in Georgia in 1741 3
  • Nicholas Derrick, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1748 3
Derrick Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • M Charlotte Derrick, aged 17, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1849 3
  • Hedda Derrick, aged 15, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1849 3
  • John Derrick, aged 3, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1849 3
  • G E Derrick, aged 41, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1849 3
  • A S Derrick, aged 38, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1849 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Derrick migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Derrick Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Christopher Derrick U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Port Matoon Association 4

Australia Derrick migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Derrick Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Derrick, English convict who was convicted in Dorset, England for life, transported aboard the "Burrell" on 22nd July 1830, arriving in New South Wales 5
  • Mr. John Derrick, English convict who was convicted in Dorset, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 27th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
  • Mr. Samuel Derrick, English convict who was convicted in Devizes, Wiltshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 4th October 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7
  • Miss. Mary Derrick, English convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baretto Junior" on 5th April 1850, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Derrick (post 1700) +

  • Richard A. Derrick, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Rensselaer County 2nd District, 1881-83 9
  • Lea E. Derrick, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Portage, Pennsylvania, 1954-55 (acting, 1954-55) 10
  • J. B. Derrick, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from South Carolina, 1916 11
  • George W. Derrick, American Republican politician, Member of Pennsylvania State Senate 36th District, 1923-26 12
  • Fred B. Derrick, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Georgia, 1948, 1952 (alternate) 13
  • Chester Derrick, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Kanawha County, 1968 14
  • Charles Warren Derrick, American politician, Member of South Carolina State Senate from Marion County, 1941 15
  • Butler Carson Derrick Jr. (b. 1936), American Democratic Party politician, Member of South Carolina State House of Representatives, 1969-74; U.S. Representative from South Carolina 3rd District, 1975-95 16
  • Cleavant Derrick, American prolific songwriter known for many gospel music standards
  • Christopher Hugh Derrick (1921-2007), American author, reviewer, publisher's reader and lecturer
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Hood
  • Mr. Charles T Derrick (b. 1918), English Leading Supply Assistant serving for the Royal Navy from Weymouth, Dorset, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 17
SS Atlantic
  • Mr. Patrick Derrick, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking


Suggested Readings for the name Derrick +

  • Genealogy and History of the Derthicks and Related Derricks: Eight Centuries of the Derthicks and Related Derricks in America and England by Jack Taif Spencer.

  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/burrell
  6. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  7. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-gray
  8. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baretto-junior
  9. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2017, April 12) Richard Derrick. Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  10. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2017, April 12) Lea Derrick. Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  11. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2017, April 12) J. Derrick. Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  12. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2017, April 12) George Derrick. Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  13. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2017, April 12) Fred Derrick. Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  14. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2017, April 12) Chester Derrick. Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  15. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2017, April 12) Charles Derrick. Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  16. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2017, April 12) Butler Derrick. Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  17. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm


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