DERRICK Family History

Recorded in over sixty spellings including Derrick and Derek (English), Delius, Dietrich, Dittrich Dietreich, Diderich, Dork, Diede, Diehl, Diehlenn, Diehlmann, Dilmann (German), Dierckx and Dirks (Flemish), and many others, this interesting and unusual name is pre 7th century Germanic in origin. Derived from the personal name Theodoric, composed of the elements "peudo", meaning people or perhaps race, and "ric", power, it has always been a popular name and surname on the Continent. The earliest namebearer was probably Theodoric, an Ostrogothic leader of the 6th century (circa 454 - 526) who invaded Italy in 488 and established his capital at Ravenna in 493 a.d.