Deering
An old surname usually explained as meaning “son of Dering,” with Dering itself tied to an old personal name linked to a bear or to “dear/beloved.”
The #5,825 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 52,012 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Most historical treatments connect Deering with an older personal name, Dering, so the surname is essentially patronymic: “son of Dering.” One 19th-century source explains Dering as related to a name meaning bear or beloved, while another links it to the Old English name Deor, meaning brave, dear, or wild beast depending on context. In practice, the surname likely arose from a medieval baptismal name rather than from the modern word deer.
History
The name is recorded in England by the 17th century and appears in later parish material in London and elsewhere. It also shows up in Irish surname lists, especially in Donegal and Londonderry, reflecting later movement and settlement. As with many names beginning with De-, it was sometimes grouped with other surnames that only look French or continental but are not necessarily so.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
One old etymological note explicitly says Deering is not from the animal deer, even though the spelling invites that guess.
From the historical record
“DEDEL (D.), dim. of Dedde. Dedem, van, of Bedde's home. DEERING (©•), Son of Beor ; i.e.. Bear, Beloved. Dcor, a man's name, signified also deer or other loild animals. DEGEN (SD. and (5.), Sioord; and perhaps even from Degan, Thegan, Thegen, the old Saxon title. Thane. DELAFIELD (X N-), Of the f eld. Delamere, Of…”
— Surnames