Dern

Dern is a surname of French origin and a toponym used in several regions with Francophone heritage. The exact etymology is not definitively settled, but the name appears in genealogical and toponymic records of France and other countries where French influence has been felt.

As a surname, Dern is best known in popular culture due to two American actors, Bruce Dern (born 1936) and his daughter Laura Dern (born 1967), who have had extensive careers in film and television. The name has since spread to other English-speaking countries through migration and family lineages.

In geography, Dern has been used as a place name in France, where it has historically appeared in the names of localities and administrative divisions. The use of Dern in toponymy reflects typical patterns by which surnames originate from places.

Other uses of the term are limited, and it is primarily encountered in reference to individuals bearing the surname or toponymic mentions in francophone contexts.