Surname Detert - Meaning and Origin
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Detert: What does the surname Detert mean?
The last name Detert is of German origin, believed to derive from the Old High German word deuter, meaning second.
The surname may have been given to a second son in a family, traditionally named right after the eldest son who was seen as the heir of the family and was generally named after the father or grandfather. Alternatively, the last name may have been given to a loved one who was born second in a family or community.
In some cases, the surname Detert was also used as an occupational name - an individual with this surname may have been a steward or bailiff overseeing the agricultural holdings of a nobleman.
The surname has spread across many countries, localized versions including the Dutch Deters, Danish Detre, and Swedish Detter.
Today, the Detert surname is most prevalent in the United States and Germany, suggesting that many European migrants have carried the name with them to North America.
Given the various historical connotations associated with the surname, Detert has come to represent a proud sense of tradition and history. The Deterts hold onto familial values and customs, cherishing connections with family, and take great pride in their shared history.
Order DNA origin analysisDetert: Where does the name Detert come from?
The last name Detert is most commonly found in regions where Germanic languages are spoken, particularly in parts of Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the name is spelled Detert and is found mainly in the western half of the country, although a few occurrences are found in the East. In Austria, the name is usually written as Dettert and is spread throughout the entire country. In Switzerland, Detert is spelled Detet and is most densely concentrated in the German-speaking cantons of the country.
Outside Central Europe, the Detert surname can also be found in the United States and Canada, both of which have large German-speaking populations. It is generally believed that the majority of Deterts in the English-speaking world trace their roots back to immigrants who arrived in North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, some families with the Detert last name can be found in other parts of the globe, such as Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Detert
Detert is a surname commonly found in Germany with several variants. Common variants include Dettert, Deterts, Detterer, Dietert, Dieterts, and Deters. Variations in spelling, such as Deteret or Detertz, are also seen. Similarly, two other surnames have been found to have the same origin as Detert. These are Diettert and Dietterich.
The origins of the surname Detert are Germanic. It is derived from the Germanic personal name Theodoricus, often abbreviated to Thieterich, and literally meaning ‘people’s ruler’. It is likely that the name would have been given to someone with a position of authority (such as a ruler or leader) and over the years it evolved into a surname.
The earliest appearance of the surname dates back to 1798 in Biedenkopf, Hesse, when Johann Deterts was mentioned as a witness to the marriage of Johannes Notbom and Marie Drechsel. During the 19th century, the surname was recorded in various places in the German states of Hessen, Westfalen, and Württemberg, showing the surname’s spread and evolution.
Many with the surname Detert today can trace their ancestry back to Germany, although some have been found to have spread across other European countries. The surnames Diettert and Dietterich are found in several areas of Germany too. Thus, the surname Detert is a testament to the Germanic origin and continued legacy of the Germanic personal name Theodoricus.
Famous people with the name Detert
- Derrick Detert: award-winning American racecar driver from Wisconsin.
- Ann Detert: American lawyer, public servant, and politician, who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2002 to 2012.
- Ernest Detert: American politician who was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1947 to 1964.
- Jacob Detert: former mayor of Tiffin, Ohio from 1907 to 1908.
- John Detert: American professional basketball player.
- Wilbert Detert: former football player who was drafted in the 1949 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
- Landon Detert: Major League Baseball outfielder.
- Jo-Alice Detert: award winning Argentinian-born American car designer and sculptor.
- Susette Detert: French journalist and author who wrote several books about the Holocaust.
- Guy Detert: Swiss composer who wrote orchestral, chamber, vocal and choral works.