English
The surname Decker can be of German or English origin. It was an occupational name for a thatcher or for a maker of blankets or matting, from an agent derivative of Middle High German 'decke', covering ( from Middle High German, Old High German 'decken, to cover' ), a word which was normally used to refer to roofs, but sometimes to other sorts of covering; the modern German 'Decke' still has the twin senses 'ceiling' and 'blanket'. The name may also be an English variation of the surname Ditch, a topographical name for someone who lived by a ditch or dyke; from the Middle English 'diche, dike', Old English, 'dic', dyke, earthwork. The medieval dyke was larger and more prominent than the modern ditch, and was usually constructed for purposes of defence rather than drainage. Modern English 'ditch' represents the regular development of the nominative of the Old English word; 'dyke' may be from Old English oblique cases, reinforced by Old Norman 'diki'. The name dates back to the twelfth century were a Simon le Dykere is recorded in historical archives. The name was brought to America predominately by German immigrants. One of the first fore fathers to bring this name to America is that of a Johann Decker, who came to America aboard the barque Hansa; he settled in New York. This name is the four-hundredth and forty-ninth most numerous surname in America.