DARE members around the world

DARE Family History

This interesting surname has two possible derivations. Firstly, it may derive from the Olde English pre 7th Century personal name "Deora", Middle English "Dere", which is in part a short form of various compound names with the first element "deor", dear, and in part a byname meaning "Beloved". However, in some instances, it may have originated from the Olde English "deor", Middle English "dere", a wild animal, deer, which was erhaps used as a nickname for someone who bore a fancied resemblance to a wild animal, or one who was swift or timid.