What is the origin of the last name Dacres?

The surname Dacres is of Norman origin, deriving from a place called D'Acres in Normandy, France. It is an anglicized version of the French-Norman "de Acres" which means "of the oak grove." During the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, many Norman families adopted English names or anglicized their existing surnames when they moved to England, and Dacres is one such example.
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Learn more about the origin of the last name Dacres

The meaning and origin of the last name Dacres

The surname Dacres is of English origin, derived from a place name meaning "Dacre's farm" or "Dakar's farmstead." It originated from various locations named Dacre in England, such as those in Cumbria and North Yorkshire. The earliest known records of the name date back to the 13th century, with a Robert de Dacres mentioned in historical documents. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved due to variations in transcription and translation. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Sir William Dacre, a prominent figure during the Wars of the Roses, and Sir Thomas D'Acres, an English composer from the Elizabethan era. Today, the name is prevalent in both England and its diaspora.

Geographical distribution of the last name Dacres

The surname Dacres is predominantly found in the English-speaking Caribbean, particularly in Jamaica and other islands like Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Barbados, and Cayman Islands. It's also present in some parts of England, particularly in counties like Essex, Kent, and Yorkshire. The name has origins dating back to the Norman Conquest, and it is believed that descendants of Norman knights who were granted lands in England after the conquest may have carried the name Dacres. In modern times, due to migration, individuals with the surname Dacres can be found in various parts of North America, Europe, and other regions worldwide. However, a significant proportion still resides in their historical homelands in the Caribbean and England.

Variants and spellings of the last name Dacres

The surname Dacres has several variants and spellings due to various factors such as phonetic spelling, regional dialects, and migration. Some of these include:

* Da'Cres, De'Cres, D'Acres, Daycres, Dayscrees, and Datres are phonetic variations that attempt to maintain the original pronunciation while adapting to different writing systems.
* Deakins-Dacres is a composite surname formed by the combination of two separate family names.
* Dacour, D'Acre, Dacre, and Daques are alternative spellings that have evolved over time, with slight variations in spelling due to historical events or migration patterns.
* Macdacs, MacDacks, and MacDaks are Gaelic derivatives of the name Dacres, reflecting Irish or Scottish ancestry.
* McDaks is another Gaelic variation, with a slightly different prefix indicating a clan or lineage affiliation.

These variations and spellings highlight the rich historical and cultural background of the surname Dacres, showcasing its global reach and adaptability throughout history.

Famous people with the last name Dacres

Notable individuals with the surname Dacres include:

1. **Rodney Dacres** (born 1942), Jamaican-born British physicist and academic, who was the first Black professor at Oxford University in the UK.

2. **Julian Dacres** (1938–2005), a British actor known for his roles in films such as "A Clockwork Orange" and "The Italian Job."

3. **Shara Proctor**, born Shara Dacres- Brown (b. 1986), is a British long jumper who represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships.

4. **Kareem Dacres** (b. 1990), a Jamaican track and field athlete who specializes in the discus throw. He won the gold medal in the discus throw at the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

5. **Dexter Dacres** (b. 1986), a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League.

Genealogical research on the last name Dacres

The surname Dacres originates from the French de la Cise, meaning "from the river Le Cise" or "from the oak forest." It is an Anglicized variant of the Norman surname. The first record of the name in England dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as De Casia or De Cisa. Over the centuries, various branches of the Dacres family established themselves throughout England, with prominent families residing in Yorkshire and Kent. In the 17th century, Sir Thomas Dacre played a significant role during the English Civil War as a supporter of Charles I. The name also has notable associations with Jamaica, where the Dacres family arrived in the early 17th century and became one of the island's most prominent planter families. Today, individuals bearing the surname Dacres can be found worldwide due to migration during the Industrial Revolution and colonial expansion.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
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NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

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