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There are approximately 4,600 people named Dexter in the UK. That makes it the 2,283rd most common surname overall. Out of every million people in the UK, approximately 73 are named Dexter.

Region of origin

British Isles

Country of origin

England

Language of origin

English

Religion of origin

Christian

Classification

English
Occupational Name

Related and similar surnames

Dester
Decter
Desutter
Daxter
D'Exter
Dekster
Dekter
Deckter
Deckster
Deekster
Deakter
Daxtear
Daxtor
Deckstere
Dektor
Dektar
Dakter
Dackster
Dakters
Dackter
Decktar
Deaktor
Decktor

The Dexter surname in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

A contraction of De Exeter, from the city of Exeter, in Devonshire, England; anciently written Excester, from Exe, the name of the river on which it is situated, and cester, a camp or town, for the derivation of which see Chester.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

Patronymica Britannica (1860)

DEXTER. Possibly from Lat. dexter, in the sense of lucky, fortunate — the iiiii\\Qi\s oi fbmter ; but more likely a contraction of De Exeter, from the chief town of Devonshire.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.

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