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Decker History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Decker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The German surname Decker emerged in the lands that formed the powerful German state of Prussia, which at one time was an immense German territory that stretched from France and the Low Countries to the Baltic sea and Poland. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the German territories were inhabited by a variety of Barbarian tribes. The borders of the Barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known as Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. The Decker family emerged in Brandenburg-Prussia, which is essentially the birthplace of modern Germany. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in the unification of Germany.

Early Origins of the Decker family

The surname Decker was first found in Prussia, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation.

Early History of the Decker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Decker research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1650, 1679, 1685, 1719, 1749 and 1838 are included under the topic Early Decker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Decker Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Decker include Decker, Dekker, Degger, Dagger, Deckert, Deckar, Dekkar, Deggar and many more.

Early Notables of the Decker family

Notable figures of the time with the name Decker were

Sir Matthew Decker (1679-1749), born in Amsterdam, who became a merchant and writer on economics in England, and was knighted in 1719

Decker World Ranking

In the United States, the name Decker is the 637^th most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. 1 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Decker is ranked the 236^th most popular surname with an estimated 187 people with that name. 2 And in France, the name Decker is the 2,088^th popular surname with an estimated 3,019 people with that name. 3

Decker migration to the United States +

Since medieval times, the state of Prussia has played an important part in the history of Germany. The state's military powers were historically very strong, and endured until after the Second World War, when the territory was broken up and divided between the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. A spurt of migration followed, with some Prussians going elsewhere in Europe and many others crossing the ocean to North America. Most entered the United States through Philadelphia. Some remained there, while more moved on to the states of Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Others traveled to Canada and settled Ontario and the prairie provinces. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Decker or a variant listed above:

Decker Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans Schiedt Decker, who arrived in New York in 1709 4
Johan Decker, who arrived in New York in 1709 4
Casper Decker, aged 40, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 4
Roedolph Decker, aged 40, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1739 4
Rudolph Decker, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1739 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Decker Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James T Decker, aged 21, who landed in New York in 1812 4
C. H. Decker, who settled in Baltimore Maryland in 1820
C. H. Decker, age 30 who settled in Baltimore, Maryland in 1820
Joh Caspar Decker, who arrived in America in 1837 4
Ernest W Decker, who arrived in St Clair County, Illinois in 1840 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Decker migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Decker Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Henry Decker U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 5
Mr. Reuben Decker U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 5
Mr. Thomas Decker U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Decker (post 1700) +

Susan Lynne "Sue" Decker (b. 1962), American president of Yahoo! Inc in 2007 and 2008
Stephen Michael Decker (b. 1965), American former Major League Baseball catcher
Richard Decker (1907-1988), American cartoonist and illustrator
Allen Francis Decker (b. 1929), American special agent for the FBI (1956-59) before becoming a prominent banker
John Decker (1895-1947), American painter, set designer, and caricaturist in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s
Almarian William Decker (1852-1893), American pioneer of electrical engineering
Brooklyn Decker (b. 1987), American fashion model
General George Henry Decker (1902-1980), Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1960 to 1962
Abram W. Decker, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Sullivan County, 1860 6
Abram I. Decker, American Republican politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Tioga County, 1889-90; Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1892 6
... (Another 62 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Decker family +

USS Arizona

Mr. Deward Decker, American Coxswain working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 7

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)
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
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html