dean

dean · noun, verb¹

1. Latin · derived fromdecānus
2. Old French · derived fromdeien
3. Anglo-Norman · derived fromdeen
4. Middle English · inherited fromden
5. English todaydean

From Middle English den, deen (“dean”), from Anglo-Norman deen and continental Old French deien (modern French doyen), from Latin decānus. Doublet of doyen.

dean · noun²

Related to den.

Dean · proper noun³

1. Arabic · derived fromدين“way of life, creed”
2. Hebrew · derived fromדין“law, judgment”
3. Old English · inherited fromDene“Dane, Norseman”
4. Middle English · derived fromdene“valley”
5. English todayDean

The surname or given name is of multiple origins, depending on context: * As an English surname, from Middle English dene (“valley”). * Also as an English surname, from the noun dean. Cognate to Deacon. * Also as an English surname, from the personal name Deyne, a rhyming form of Reynald (see Reginald). * As an Irish surname, variant of Deane. * As a Scottish surname, from Dean Castle in Kilmarnock, itself from the noun meaning valley. * Old English Dene (“Dane, Norseman”) * Hebrew דין (“law, judgment”) and Arabic دين (“way of life, creed”)

Words from the same roots