Surname Duck - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Duck: What does the surname Duck mean?
The last name Duck is of English and Dutch origin. It is derived from the Old English word "ducan," which means to duck or bend. This name was often given as a nickname, perhaps to someone who was particularly skilled at 'ducking' in battle or similar. Alternatively, it may have referred to someone living near a place where ducks were common.
In Dutch, "duck" translates to "eend," but surnames referring to animals, including "Duck," were common in the Netherlands too, representing a similar concept. In later centuries, it may have been used to denote someone who raised or sold ducks.
Like many surnames, the exact origins and meaning can vary and depend on regional interpretations and usage throughout history. However, in general, it is agreed that the surname Duck is tied to either the profession, physical characteristic or the living environment of the person who first took the name.
Order DNA origin analysisDuck: Where does the name Duck come from?
The surname Duck originates from Anglo-Saxon England. It's derived from the Old English "ducan," which means "to duck or bow," indicating a humble character or a person's tendency to duck or be submissive. Additionally, it could have been given as a nickname to someone bearing a resemblance to a duck. It may also come from the Viking word "dukr" meaning duck and hence applied as a nickname or to a wildfowler.
Today, the surname Duck is not particularly common. It is most prevalent in the United States, followed by England and Canada. In the United States, it is especially concentrated in the South, particularly in the state of Texas. Despite its Anglo-Saxon origins, it is not one of the widely-used surnames in England anymore. Therefore, you are most likely to come across individuals bearing the last name Duck in America. However, even there, it is relatively rare.
Variations of the surname Duck
The surname 'Duck' has a few variant forms and surnames with a similar origin. 'Duck' is primarily English in origin. It may originally have been a nickname for someone who waddled like a duck or whose work included the care of ducks. It's also possible that it could have derived from the old English personal name 'Duca'.
Variants of the surname 'Duck' include Duc, Duke, Duche, and Duick. Other surnames that may share the same origin, since they have similar meanings or are phonetically similar, include Ducker, Duckett, Duckitt and possibly, Drake. The latter is an old Norse word for 'duck'.
Spelling variations of such surnames could be shaped by many factors, including the literacy level of an enumerator, errors in transcription, or changes made over many generations. Some possible spelling variations for 'Duck' could include Duch, Ducque, Duk, Dooke, Doke, and Duc.
Please note that connections between surnames and their origin are often hard to establish definitively, since even the same surname could have been independently derived in different regions or countries, and could thus carry different meanings.
Famous people with the name Duck
- Daffy Duck: A famous animated character from the Looney Tunes.
- Donald Duck: Another globally recognized animated character featured in numerous Walt Disney productions.
- Daisy Duck: A famous cartoon character from the Walt Disney Company who is usually seen with Donald Duck.
- Uncle Scrooge McDuck: A popular Disney character known for his immense wealth. He's often depicted swimming in a vault filled with gold coins.
- Huey, Dewey, and Louie Duck: The triplet nephews of Donald Duck, often found causing mischief in Disney cartoons.
- Fred Duck: A character from the British children's television series, "Peppa Pig".
- Drake Mallard: The alter ego of the cartoon superhero Darkwing Duck.
- Howard the Duck: A comic book character in the Marvel universe.
- Andrew Duck: An American politician who ran for congress in Maryland.
- Lucy Duck: A British author known for her children’s picture books, including "A Busy Day for Birds."
- Gladstone Gander: another character from the Duck family in Donald Duck comics. Famous for his incredible good luck.
- Duck Dodgers: Another Daffy Duck incarnation portraying him as a space hero in the animated series of the same name. Please note: Most of these named individuals are fictional characters.