Surname Detterich - Meaning and Origin

Detterich: What does the surname Detterich mean?

The last name Detterich is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Aodh, which itself comes from the Celtic word for "fire."

The most common spelling of the name in Germany is Dietrich, although the spelling Detterich is seen as well. It is derived from the Germanic root thiod or thioda, which means "people" or "race." In other Germanic countries, the spelling is usually Dytrich.

The name was very common in the Middle Ages and was carried by Saint Dietrich of Metz, a 7th century saint of the Catholic Church. One of his many accomplishments included his work in converting pagans to Christianity.

The surname is often associated with “ploughmen” in medieval Germany, as its Latin variant, Theodoricus, means “people-ploughman”. The modern German translation of the name is usually “Tetrich”, meaning “tear-ploughman”.

As an occupational surname, the name Detterich applied to a person who ploughed the land with a share, or sharp edge, made of iron or steel. It is believed that Detterich migrated to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, the name is still popular in Germany and is common in the United States. It is an example of a name that has held its significance and meaning despite centuries and international migration of its bearers.

Detterich: Where does the name Detterich come from?

Today, the surname Detterich is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. Detterich is an Americanized form of the German surname Dötterich, and is particularly widespread in the Midwest, where many German immigrants settled.

Illinois and Wisconsin are both interesting states to look into when it comes to Detterich. Early settlers in these states are frequently said to be of German descent, and the surname Dötterich is common among these communities.

The Detterich family is prominently featured in port towns along the Great Lakes, such as Chicago, Cleveland, Erie, and Sheboygan. Records suggest that the Detterich family has been present in the Midwest region since the late 19th century, when many German immigrants moved to the United States and Canada.

In addition, the name Detterich has spread to other parts of North America, including Canada and Mexico. There are also small pockets of Detterichs around the world, from China and Japan in the east to the United Kingdom in the west.

Ultimately, the last name Detterich originates from Germany and is common mainly in the United States and Canada. It has spread and evolved over generations to incorporate multiple cultures, making it a truly international name.

Variations of the surname Detterich

The surname Detterich is a German patronymic surname with a history dating back to the Middle Ages. Detterich (also spelled Dietrich) is derived from the German given name Diether, which is a diminutive form of the given name Theodoric. The name refers to the Germanic tribe of the Ostrogoths, which was founded by Theodoric the Great. Nicknames derived from Detterich include Detterich, Teter, Dettery, Tetterich and Theodric.

Surnames derived through the centuries from Detterich include Dieterle, Dietrich, Dieterich, Rederich, Reder, Tetrold, Thiede, Tiele, Teipel, Teubel, Teiber, Teubler, Teichmann, Tieck, Dieter, and Teich. Surnames from this family were often adopted in other languages, such as Dutch (Teter) and Swedish (Tieter).

The various spellings of Detterich are meant to reflect local dialect and pronunciation. The other common spelling of the name is Dieterich, which was most likely adopted for similar reasons in the 18th and 19th centuries. The difference between the two is slight, but the Dieterich spelling is more commonly found in North America.

The Detterich surname can also be found in other variations such as Tettrich, Teetert, Teitert, Tiederich, and Dietrichs. Variations of the name can also be found in other languages such as French (Dieterich) and Danish (Tiedrich).

Many of the surnames and their respective spellings are still found in Germany today, and are also present in countries that had large German diasporas, such as the United States. As a result, Detterich remains one of the most popular German-origin surnames today.

Famous people with the name Detterich

• Dr. Michael Detterich, a scientist and leader in global communications technology.
• F.C. Detterich, a German naturalist who wrote the early "Flora of Saxony".
• Joe Detterich, a Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched for the Cincinnati Reds from 1965–1967.
• Wilfred Detterich, a professional athlete who played outfield for several Major League Baseball teams.
• Hugo Detterich, a professional soccer player who played for the German Bundesliga team VfB Stuttgart.
• Jens Detterich, a Swiss ski mountaineer notable for placing third on the infamous Dachstein Ice Race in 2001.
• Carola Detterich, an Austrian Sociology professor and a researcher in the nursing field.
• Gretl Detterich, a renowned modern artist as well as a successful perfume designer.
• Leslie Detterich, a world traveling diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Algeria between 1998 and 2002.
• Benny Detterich, a legendary stuntman who made an appearance in the classic comedy film "Cannonball Run".

Other surnames

Detterick