| ![Show Contents]() Derek History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Derek is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Derek was a name used for a beloved person or as a term of endearment. The surname Derek also derived from the animal deer. Early Origins of the Derek familyThe surname Derek was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England, formerly part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, 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 Derek familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Derek research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1300, 1327 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Derek History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Derek Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Derek include Dear, Deare, Dere, Deer, Dearie, Deir and others. Early Notables of the Derek familyMore information is included under the topic Early Derek Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Derek family to Ireland
Some of the Derek family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Derek familyThousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Derek were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Fletcher Dear who settled in Philadelphia in 1820; Joseph, Thomas, and William Deare settled in Virginia between 1637 and 1663; Anne and Darby Deare arrived in New England in 1637.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Derek (post 1700) | + |
- John Derek (1926-1998), American actor, director and photographer, husband of Bo Derek
- Bo Derek (b. 1956), born Mary Cathleen Collins, American film actress and model, perhaps best known for her role in the 1979 film 10
- DJ Derek (1941-2015), stage name of Derek Serpell-Morris, an English DJ based in Bristol
- Christopher Derek Hacon (b. 1970), British mathematician awarded the Cole Prize for Algebra in 2009
- Mr. Peter Derek Watkins C.B., C.B.E. (b. 1959), British civil servant previously serving as Director General of Strategy and International for the Ministry of Defence, was appointed a Companion of the order of Bath (C.B) on 29th December 2018 by her Majesty The Queen for services to Defence 1
- Mr. William Derek Hodgkinson M.B.E., British Major for The King's Royal Hussars was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 17th June 2017
- Mr. Alexander Derek Scott B.E.M., British Honorary President for Angus, Fife and Perthshire for Royal British Legion Scotland was appointed the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for voluntary service to ex-Service Personnel
- Mr. Simon Derek Thomas O.B.E., British recipient of Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to British foreign policy 2
- Alan Derek Piggott MBE (1922-2019), Britain's best known glider pilot and instructor who had over 5,000 hours on over 153 types of powered aircraft and over 5,000 hours on over 184 types of glider
- James Derek Sparks (b. 1981), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Oklahoma, 2004 3
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England
Ireland
