Surname Degroot - Meaning and Origin

Degroot: What does the surname Degroot mean?

The last name Degroot is a Dutch and North German surname that originated in the northern Netherlands and Germany. It is derived from the Dutch word ‘De Groot’, meaning ‘the great’ or ‘the big’. This suggests that the name holders were people of importance and stature within their communities.

Up until the 19th century, the meaning of the name was typically linked to a family’s reputation or status, as it was an indicator of power associated with wealth and privilege. Many Degroots originated from the agricultural-based communities of the Netherlands or Germany, where larger plots of land were provided to those with higher social standing.

Through intermarriage, the name has since spread to various regions outside of the Netherlands and Germany. In France, it is phonetically rendered as 'Del'groot', while other variants of the name exist in Belgium, the United States, Canada and elsewhere.

Today, the Degroot name is relatively common. The many places where it’s found suggest a long lineage of distinguished ancestors, though any meaningful understanding of their identity has now been lost to time.

Degroot: Where does the name Degroot come from?

The last name Degroot is common in many places around the globe today. It is most common in the Netherlands, with 11,900 people sharing the name in 2018. The second largest concentration is in Belgium, where 6,478 Degroots were reported that year. In the rest of Europe, Degroot is moderately common in Germany, France, and Switzerland. In The United States, the name is less common, with around 2,000 Degroots living there in 2018. It is particularly concentrated in Pennsylvania, California, and New York.

The name Degroot is also found in Canada, with most people living in British Columbia and Alberta. In Australia, Degroots are predominantly in Victoria and New South Wales. A smaller number are found in South Africa, and there are a few in India, Trinidad, and Jamaica.

The origin of the name Degroot is not certain, but some experts believe it is an Anglicized form of the Germanic name Dietger, which means “people’s spear.” Dutch variants of the name are De Groot, De Groote, and De Grauw. Others suggest that it is derived from the phrase de groot, which means “the large” in Dutch and applies to size, space, and possessions. This could suggest the family was wealthy and had inherited their name from generations before.

Variations of the surname Degroot

The surname Degroot is a Dutch patronymic (derived from the father's given name) name. There is no single agreed upon variant spelling or different surname derived from Degroot. However, there are several variant spellings of Degroot that are encountered in records over time. These include DeGroot, DeGrote, DeGroote, De Groot, DeGrood, DeGroo, Degrood and Degroat.

In the Netherlands the name is often found spelled as De Groot, though in other countries it often assumes the form DeGroot.

People who originally settled in the United States often adopted a modified version of the Dutch spelling, such as DeGroot, De Groot, or De Groote.

Surnames closely related to Degroot include De Grote, De Groot, De Groote, Degroat, Groot and Grote. Degroot is also sometimes used as a first name.

In some cases, the first name Degroot can be used interchangeably as a surname, such as in the case of the Dutch politician Willem de Groot, who is known in his native language as Willem Degroot.

Given the many different spellings of Degroot, wide variation can be observed when researching its history. People from different regions may have adopted different spellings of Degroot over time. It is important to note that these variants, spellings and related surnames are all of the same origin, and all variations of Degroot should be considered when researching family history.

Famous people with the name Degroot

• Chris DeGroot: Canadian philosopher, author, and political agitator.
• Teryn DeGroot: American author and futurist.
• Paul DeGroot: American journalist and humorist.
• Chris de Groot: Australian composer, producer, and sound designer.
• Rebecca DeGroot: American voice actor and improvisational comedian.
• Ziggy DeGroot: Dutch retired professional soccer player.
• Marni DeGroot: Canadian lawyer, author, and public speaker.
• Tristin DeGroot: Canadian professional snowboarder.
• Ezra DeGroot: American entrepreneur and investor.
• Patrick DeGroot: Dutch retired professional soccer player.
• Duke DeGroot: American professional wrestler and author.
• Caleb DeGroot: Dutch dominant professional volleyball player.
• Kerri DeGroot: Canadian professional mixed martial artist and athlete.
• Pauline DeGroot: Dutch professional speed skater.
• Tom DeGroot: American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.
• Jessie DeGroot: Canadian singer-songwriter, activist, and film actress.
• Zane DeGroot: Australian professional wakeboarder and public speaker.
• Jelani DeGroot: Dutch basketball and track and field athlete.
• Mason DeGroot: Canadian professional snowboarder and freestyle skier.
• Gordon DeGroot: Canadian professional hockeyplayer and coach.

Other surnames

Degroote