Surname Dey - Meaning and Origin

Dey: What does the surname Dey mean?

The last name Dey is a variation of the French name Dei or Deye. It has a Middle English origin, and is derived from Old French "deye" and "dei", meaning "day keepers".

The name Dey has a number of possible meanings. It could be derived from the Middle English word "dai", meaning a servant or attendant. Alternatively, it could be taken from the Old French word "dieu" meaning God or from the Germanic "Theoda" meaning people or tribe. It could also be derived from the Old English term "dag" meaning day or from the Latin "datus" meaning given or granted.

Uniquely, the Dey surname could also be a variation of the given name "Aida", which is derived from the ancient Biblical Hebrew "adan" meaning ornament.

The Dey surname is quite widespread and it can be found in various countries and in many cultures. Its earliest records show that it was found in England and in Romania around the 12th century. Later, it was found in India and in France. The Deys also have their own Shield crest with a red curved line rising from a white background.

Generally, the Dey surname is associated with being hardworking and reliable. People bearing this last name are known to possess intelligence as well as a good sense of humour. They are also said to be reliable and steadfast in friendship.

Overall, the Dey surname is a variation of an ancient family name that is steeped in history, as it has been adopted by many cultures over time. It is a unique and varied last name borne by those with hardworking, reliable, and intelligent characters. The Dey family crest serves to tell the tale of their heritage and values.

Dey: Where does the name Dey come from?

The last name Dey is most common today in India, specifically the state of West Bengal and Bangladesh. It is thought to be derived from a Bengali word referring to an ‘honourable title’ and is an occupational name - associated with people who served in royal courts, administered estates, or participated in similar positions of service. It is particularly common among the Bengali Baidyas or Kayasthas, Hindu communities who traditionally occupied high-caste positions.

Apart from India and Bangladesh, Dey is also common among people of Bangladeshi and Indian descent living abroad. For instance, it is found in countries such as the United Kingdom, United States of America, and Canada. In the United Kingdom, the majority of Deys have been traced to the Tower Hamlets area of east London, while the larger population centers in the U.S. are in California, New York, and Texas.

The surname is dispersed throughout many states in India, but the highest concentration is in West Bengal in the district of North 24 Parganas. Across the border in Bangladesh, there is also a large concentration of the Dey family primarily in Khulna division.

The spelling of the name may vary from country to country, with some variations such as Daye, De, Deay, Dei, Dean, Day, D’Rey, and Dehn.

Variations of the surname Dey

The most common variant, spelling, and surname of Dey is 'Dey'. Other variants and alternative spellings include 'Dei', 'Dai', 'Dea', 'Deh', 'Deya', 'Deys', 'Deysy', 'Dee', 'Day', 'Dae', 'Deer', 'Deere', and 'Dees'.

The Dey surname is an Anglo-Saxon surname with a variety of possible origins. It is generally believed to be a patronymic surname derived from the Middle English given name "Dey," which was itself derived from the pre-7th century Olde English "Daeg" meaning "day" or "daylight." This name could also be derived from the Middle English "dai," which meant "dweller at the meadow."

The French surname 'Daigre' is a variant of the same origins as the Dey surname. It is derived from the Old French "dagre," which means "dweller at the grove." In other words, the surname originates from those who resided near a grove of trees.

The Chinese surname of De or Ti is also derived from the same origin as the Dey surname. The Chinese surname De or Ti is derived from the Zhou Dynasty term "dei," meaning "virtuous." The surname was quite popular throughout the Tang Dynasty and was widely adopted across China.

The Indian surname "De" is also derived from the Dey surname. It is derived from the Hindi word "deen," which means "light of the religion" or "servant of God." This surname is also shared by many of the Indian Hindu Brahmins and members of India's higher caste society.

Famous people with the name Dey

• Rituparna Dey: Bangladeshi actress, singer and model
• Sayani Dey: Indian actress and writer
• Naghma Dey: Indian playback singer
• Raka Dey: Indian film actress
• Jay Panda Dey: Indian film actor and director
• Anirban Dey: Indian classical music vocalist
• Sudeshna Dey: Indian choir singing expert
• Gokul Dey: Indian classical sitar player
• Debabrata Dey: Indian actor, director, actor, lyricist and score composer
• Parthasarathi Dey: Indian primary school teacher
• Saheb Dey: Indian film director
• Soumik Dey: Indian music director
• Surajit Dey: Indian politician
• Patralekha Dey: Indian Singer and Musician
• Amrita Dey: Indian Bollywood playback singer
• Surajit Dey: Indian politician
• Sudipta Dey: Indian Lecturer in Music at Jadavpur University
• Aparna Dey: Indian actress
• Sujit Dey: Indian Banker
• Samir Dey: Indian actor, director, writer, producer and cinematographer

Other surnames

DeychDeytrichDeytrikh