DUCK

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Duck

The surname Duck is of English origin, deriving from the Old English word "duce," meaning a duck or waterfowl. It is considered to be a metonymic occupational name for someone who raised or hunted ducks, or perhaps a nickname for someone thought to bear a fancied resemblance to a duck.

The surname Duck is widely recorded in various spellings throughout England. The first known recording of the surname dates back to the early 13th century in Essex, England, where a Geoffrey Duk is mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. Variants of the surname include Ducks, Ducke, and Ducking.

Over time, individuals bearing the surname Duck have been associated with different regions of England, including Norfolk, Gloucestershire, and Devon. The name has also spread to other parts of the English-speaking world through migration and emigration.

Notable bearers of the surname Duck include Sir Arthur Duck, an English diplomat in the 16th century, and Harold Duck, a British composer known for his works in the early 20th century.

In contemporary times, the surname Duck continues to be borne by individuals across the United Kingdom and beyond, reflecting its enduring legacy and diverse historical roots.

There are approximately 1,574 people named Duck in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,149th most common surname in Britain. Around 24 in a million people in Britain are named Duck.

Surname type: Nickname

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Andrew
Christopher
James
John
Jonathan
Michael
Paul
Peter
Robert
Simon
Stephen
Wayne

Female

Barbara
Catherine
Elizabeth
Jacqueline
Judith
Linda
Lisa
Margaret
Mary
Natalie
Sarah
Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.