Bits and Pieces!

Meaning and origin of the Derrick name

Textbooks on the origin of names say that the name Derrick is a given name used as a surname. It is originally Germanic, and comes from Theodoric, meaing "ruler of men." Over time, the name was shortened and became Derrick. More recently, in addition to being a surname, it once again has taken shape as a given name. The given name 'Dirk' as found in Germany and The Netherlands is also derived from Theodoric.

There is a lot of information that shows that quite a number of people with the name Derrick (actually, early variants) came from the Low Countries in the 17th century. I believe that this movement was connected with the Hugenots. Whether this all Derrick families in Britain were derived from immigrants I cannot say. I only know that I have references to Derricks in Britain going back to the 15th century, and that Derricks were established in Somerset villages in the 16th century. Hence, either the name was native or the immigration had occurred hundreds of years before the Hugenots.

Variants of the Derrick name.

The following information applies to names in Somerset and surrounding area.

Although the Derrick name is spelled in only one way today (to my knowledge), many variants existed in the past. Unification to the Derrick form occurred about 1800, with the greatest diversity occurring in the 17th century and earlier.

Variations occurred both between and within locations. In the village of Ubley in Somerset, the form Dirrick was used almost exclusively from the beginning of the parish register in the late 1600s until the early 1800s, at which time the Derrick form replaced it. (I was told that up until fairly recently some in the area still pronounced the name with a short 'i' sound as in Dirrick.) On the other hand, at Blagdon, which is only a few miles away from Ubley, the Derrick form prevailed, with Dirrick tending to be used for immigrants and descendant families from Ubley. Other villages were totally inconsistent. At Whitchurch in Somerset, for instance, the following forms were used: Derock (1609), Dyrrocke (1620), Dirrecke (1636), Dirrocke (1669), Derrick (1680), Diricke (1758), while Dirrick was used as well. In general, forms with 'y' (sometimes, two 'y's - Dyrrycke) and the final 'e' were used in the 17th century and earlier.

I should also mention that the Derrick name appears to have been adopted by immigrants to the United States whose names were somewhat similar in either sound or look.  I have also encountered a name change from Darroch to Derrick, caused by immigration officials into Australia. The family was originally from Scotland, and probably had no connections with any true Derrick family.

The Derrick Crest

The Derrick crest is featured at the top of this webpage. The illustration comes from a book of crests and is described as follows,
Derrick, on a spear-head a savage's head couped and dripping blood ppr. Virtute non viribus
I have no further information about this crest and would be interested to hear which family instituted it, and when.

Famous or Infamous English Derricks

To my knowledge there are few famous Derricks, though I am willing to be corrected.
Derrick the Hangman
Probably the most famous Derrick is Derrick the Hangman. He lived in London during the Elizabethan era, and has the honor of being mentioned in several plays and documents of that time. He was so proficient at building scaffolds that he gave his name to the structure, a term which has become adapted to the derrick of our time, such as in oil drilling.
Francis Derrick the Merchant Venturer
Coming in at a distant second place, is Francis Derrick of Bristol. He lived in the early 1600s and was of the company of Merchant Venturers. He was part owner of several ships. His most memorable achievement was to be called to London to testify over the alleged piracy of a ship in the Caribean.
 
There are also two 'famous' Derricks of Irish origin.