Surname Dare - Meaning and Origin
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Dare: What does the surname Dare mean?
The surname Dare is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "deor" which means "dear one" or "beloved." The name was initially used as a nickname for a person who was dear or beloved in their community or family, eventually turning into a surname passed down through generations. The use of such descriptive nicknames was a common practice in early England before the widespread use of fixed surnames. In some circumstances, it may have also originated from the Old French 'dare' or Latin 'dare' meaning 'to give'. This might have been applied as an occupational surname for someone who was a tax collector or charity organizer. However, the common interpretation leans towards the affectionate nickname of "dear" or "beloved".
Order DNA origin analysisDare: Where does the name Dare come from?
The surname Dare is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "derran" which means to harm, hurt or dare. Therefore, the surname Dare could have been a nickname for a bold or daring person. The name was first found in Essex where the Dare family held a family seat as Lords of the Manor.
Today, the surname Dare can be found in many English-speaking countries. However, it is particularly prevalent in the United States, England, and Australia. In addition to this, there are also quite a few people with the surname Dare in Canada and New Zealand. This global spread of the surname might be due to British colonization and migration over the centuries. Generally speaking though, Dare is not a very common surname in comparison to other surnames. There are around 8,000 people with the surname Dare globally, with the highest proportion living in the United States.
Variations of the surname Dare
The surname Dare is of English origin and it's thought to be derived from the Old English name "Deora," meaning "dear or beloved." This surname has several variants and numerous spellings due to regional accents, literacy level of scribes, and changes over centuries. Variants of the surname Dare include Deare, Dears, Dear, and Dere. Other similar names might include Darre, Darr, Daire, and Dairey.
While it's less common, Dare could potentially be a variant of the Irish surname Darragh, which is also sometimes spelled Dare. However, the most common spelling for Darragh in English speaking countries is Dara or Darragh.
The surname Dare may also have links to the French names Daire and De La Daire as a result of Norman invasion of England. The same surname could also appear as D'Are or Darey due to French influence.
It’s also worth noting that the surname can undergo further alterations through marriages, leading to double-barreled surnames or hyphenated versions such as Dare-Smith or Dare-Morley. There could also be potential linkages to surnames like Daren, Darien, or Darius through phonetic similarity, despite differing origins.
As with all surnames, geographic distribution and cultural influences can lead to further variations.
Famous people with the name Dare
- Virginia Dare: She was the first English child born in the New World. Her story is linked to the mysterious disappearance of the Roanoke Colony.
- Kim Dare: The British author is known for her prolific output in the genre of gay romance, with a particular emphasis on BDSM themes.
- Danny Dare: An American choreographer and film director active during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He worked on films such as "Meet Danny Wilson" and "The Bells of St. Mary's."
- Phoebe Dare: An early 20th-century American actress who appeared in silent films such as "The Lure of Ambition" and "The Millionaire Vagrant."
- Billy Dare: A former British professional footballer played for West Bromwich Albion and the England national team in the 1950s.
- Danielle Dare: A character in the British soap opera, "Hollyoaks."
- David Dare: A competitive meteorologist, who known for winning Weather Brains.
- Nick Dare: An English cricketer.
- Darren Dare: A musician associated with the synth-pop band, Visage.
- Trinity Dare: An American dancer who has earned popularity on TikTok and Instagram.