Dekker Name Meaning, Facts & Family History

The surname Dekker is a Dutch occupational surname derived from the Dutch word "dekker" which means "roofer" or "thatcher." It was used to denote someone who worked as a thatcher or a person who covered roofs with straw or reeds.
As for the family history, the surname Dekker is quite common in the Netherlands and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. People with this surname were usually skilled craftsmen who had expertise in thatching roofs. Over time, the surname spread and many families adopted it as their hereditary surname.
The Dekker surname is relatively common today, not only in the Netherlands but also in other parts of the world due to Dutch migration. Many Dutch immigrants took their surnames with them when they settled in other countries, resulting in the presence of the surname Dekker in places like the United States, Canada, and South Africa, among others.

1. The surname Dekker is of Dutch origin.
2. It is derived from the Dutch word "dekker," meaning "thatcher" or "roofer."
3. The surname is occupational in nature, indicating that the original bearer of the name likely worked as a thatcher or roofer.
4. Variations of the surname include Decker, Deckers, and Dekkers.
5. The surname Dekker is quite common in the Netherlands, and it ranks among the top 500 most common surnames in the country.
6. Many people with the surname Dekker still reside in the Netherlands, although descendants of Dutch immigrants can also be found in other countries.
7. Notable individuals with the surname Dekker include Dutch writer and poet Thomas Dekker, Dutch speed skater Renate Groenewold-Dekker, and Dutch football player Johan Dekker.
8. The surname Dekker is often used as a character or pen name in literature and film, reflecting its Dutch origins and associations with craftsmanship.
9. The Dekker family name might have different coat of arms depending on where the family originated from, although the two main versions consist of shields with diagonal lines and/or three roses.
10. The name Dekker is pronounced as "Deck-er" in English, with equal emphasis on both syllables.

There were several families with the surname Dekker in different parts of the world, so it is not possible to determine the specific origin of the Dekker family without more information. The name Dekker can be of Dutch, English, or German origin, among others. It is a relatively common surname, and individuals with this last name can be found in many countries around the world.

1. Thomas Dekker - English playwright and poet
2. Rico Dekker - Dutch professional footballer
3. Issa Dekker - Dutch film director and screenwriter
4. Gretchen Dekker - American actress
5. Jelmer Dekker - Dutch speed skater
6. Thom Dekker - Dutch former professional cyclist
7. Elle Dekker - Dutch model and actress
8. William Dekker - American football player
9. Saskia Dekker - Dutch former professional tennis player
10. Jerrel Dekker - Dutch professional footballer