Last Name Deas

The surname "Deas" is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surnames Mac Dhiomhair, which means "son of Diarmaid," a popular given name in Ireland, and Mac Dhaos, meaning "son of Daws," or "the dark one." The Deas family was primarily located in the areas of Argyllshire and Lanarkshire in Scotland and County Donegal and Antrim in Northern Ireland. It's important to note that surnames were often a reflection of their original bearer's occupation, place of origin, or some characteristic. In this case, Deas can be traced back to individuals named Diarmaid or Daws.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Deas

The meaning and origin of the last name Deas

The surname Deas is of Irish and Scottish origin. It derives from the Gaelic "deas" or "deasa," which means "east." Over time, it has been anglicized as Dias, D'Ais, and Dease. In Ireland, this name was primarily found in County Antrim and County Down, where the O'Deas were a prominent sept of the Dalcassian Clan of the Fir Domhnaill (Daly). The Deas family migrated to Scotland, particularly Aberdeenshire, in the 16th century. In Scotland, they are sometimes associated with the landowning Dees clan, although there is no direct lineage between them. Notable bearers of this name include the Irish poet and writer, James Clarence Mangan (1803-1849), and John Deas, a Scottish footballer who played for Hearts FC in the 1870s.

Geographical distribution of the last name Deas

The surname Deas is predominantly found in Scotland, as it originated from Gaelic-speaking regions and was originally spelled as MacDheath or MacDhiosa, meaning "son of Dheath or Dhiosa." Over time, the name evolved into the modern spelling of Deas. It is still common in Scotland, particularly in the Highland and Islands areas, due to its historical roots. Smaller numbers of people with the surname Deas can also be found in other parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland, where Gaelic migration occurred. In recent times, some individuals with the surname Deas have immigrated to other countries, most notably the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, leading to a global dispersion.

Variants and spellings of the last name Deas

The surname Deas has several variations and spelling forms. Some common variants include: Dease, Deasse, Deass, Dheas, Dhease, Dhesa, Dheasa, D'Eass, D'Ease, and D'Ass. These variations can be traced back to different regions and periods in history, with some originating from Ireland, Scotland, or England. The name is primarily associated with the Irish Gaelic Mac an tSaorsa, meaning "son of the host" or "son of the warrior", suggesting a noble or warlike background for many bearers of this surname. Other theories suggest that Deas could be derived from a nickname meaning "the short one" in various languages, such as Old Norse dyr, Old English deah, or Scottish Gaelic dèas. Despite the different origins and variations, all forms of the surname share a connection to the rich history and culture of Celtic nations.

Famous people with the last name Deas

Notable individuals bearing the surname Deas include:

1. **William John Deas** (1894-1972), an American football player and coach, who played for the New York Giants and coached the University of Michigan Wolverines. He is best remembered as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during their championship seasons in 1939 and 1944.

2. **George Deas** (1868-1950), an American photographer who contributed to the development of color photography. In collaboration with his brother, Richard Langley Deas, they built a color camera and took some of the earliest known color photographs in 1903.

3. **Sir William McEvoy Deas** (1862-1943), a Scottish surgeon who served as Regius Professor of Surgery at the University of Aberdeen from 1917 to 1934. He is recognized for his contributions to abdominal surgery and was knighted in 1930.

4. **James Deas** (1852-1903), a British painter who specialized in portraits, figure studies, and landscapes. He was elected as an associate of the Royal Academy in 1879 and became a full member in 1886.

5. **Kyle Deas** (born 1986), a Scottish strongman competitor and powerlifter who won the World's Strongest Man title in 2014. He has also held multiple world records in both powerlifting and strongman events.

Genealogical research on the last name Deas

The surname Deas, spelled variously as MacDheath, MacDea, and MacDiarmid in Gaelic, originates from the Scottish Highlands, specifically the region of Argyll. Historically, it is a sept (branch) of Clan Campbell, one of Scotland's most powerful clans. The name Deas is derived from the Gaelic word "deas," meaning south or southern. During the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries, many families bearing the name Deas were displaced from their ancestral lands and emigrated to other parts of Scotland, Ireland, Canada, the United States, and Australia. Today, individuals with the surname Deas can be found worldwide, though a significant number still reside in Scotland and Ireland. Notable figures with this surname include John Deas, a Scottish politician, and Donald Deas, an American musician.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Deas"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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.
Last updated : 10 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends