decker

Decker is a surname of German origin, derived from the occupation Dachdecker, meaning roofer. The name has spread to English-speaking countries and is found among people of German, American, and other ancestries. In addition to a surname, Decker may occasionally appear as a given name in some communities.

As an occupational surname, Decker reflects ancestry linked to roofing work in German-speaking regions during the Middle Ages. Through migration and naturalization, bearers of the name established families in North America, Europe, and elsewhere.

Numerous places in the United States bear the name Decker, including towns and unincorporated communities. In English usage, the term decker is also used in compounds such as double-decker to describe objects with two or more decks, notably buses and ships.

In modern usage, Decker appears as a surname for fictional and real persons. The name is closely related to other Germanic names and appears in various place names and enterprises bearing the surname. A closely related but distinct term is Deckers Outdoor Corporation, an American footwear company known for UGG boots and Teva sandals.