Dekker

Dekker is a Dutch occupational surname meaning a thatcher or roof-coverer, originating from the Middle Dutch words decker or dekker, related to covering and roofing. The name historically referred to someone who built or repaired roofs, typically using thatch, shingles, or other materials.

The surname is most common in the Netherlands and Belgium, where it originated. It spread to other parts of the world through migration, particularly to countries with Dutch or Flemish heritage, such as South Africa, the United States, and Canada. In modern times, Dekker remains a relatively common surname in Dutch-speaking communities, and it is often found in various spellings and related forms in different regions.

Notable individuals with the surname include Thomas Dekker, a 16th- to 17th-century English dramatist and poet associated with the Elizabethan and early Jacobean theatre. Another prominent person is Thomas Dekker, an American actor known for his work in film and television in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The name is carried by many other individuals around the world, reflecting its Dutch origins and broader diaspora.

Variants and related surnames include Decker, Dekkers, and Dekker in different languages and regions. These forms share the same occupational origin and are sometimes used interchangeably in genealogical records.