Show ContentsDeed History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the name Deed begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It 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 Deed family

The surname Deed 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 Deed family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Deed research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1621, 1650, 1658 and 1662 are included under the topic Early Deed History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Deed Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Deed has been recorded under many different variations, including Dade, Dadey, Dady and others.

Early Notables of the Deed family

Notables 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 Deed Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Deed migration to Australia +

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

Deed Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Ann Wallace Deed, who arrived in Holdfast Bay, Australia aboard the ship "Canton" in 1838 [1]
  • Harriett Deed, who arrived in Holdfast Bay, Australia aboard the ship "Canton" in 1838 [1]
  • James Deed, who arrived in Holdfast Bay, Australia aboard the ship "Canton" in 1838 [1]
  • John Deed, who arrived in Holdfast Bay, Australia aboard the ship "Canton" in 1838 [1]
  • Mary Deed, who arrived in Holdfast Bay, Australia aboard the ship "Canton" in 1838 [1]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Deed migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Deed Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J. Deed, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Viscount Canning" in 1865


  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CANTON 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838Canton.htm


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