Origin of the surname Demeter

This famous surname, one of the earliest ever recorded, is today regarded as being of Eastern European and Russian origins, but is more properly Ancient Greek. Although much associated with early Christian martyrs, it is in fact pagan, being a derivation of "Demetrios" and translating as "a follower of Demeter", the first goddess of fertility. Quite why the name should have been so popular in Eastern Europe, but to have made almost no penetration in the West in unclear. The usual source of biblical names everywhere were the early saints and martyrs, and this name is no exception.

However it has to be said that the St Demetri responsible for this name was so obscure, it is understood that he was martyrd in the 4th century a.d., that he rarely appears in the records of saints at all. With most surnames their overwhelming popularity resulted from the famous "crusades" of the 11th and 12th century. These were lead by successive generations of Christian monarchs. All failed in their self appointed task of "freeing" the Holy Land, and specifically Jerusalem, from the Saracens. Nethertheless the returning soldiers and pilgrims made it a point of honour to name their children after early religious, Hebrew, and biblical figures. There are over seventy spellings of this surname ranging from Dmitriev and Mitrovic, to Domotor and Mityagin. The first known recording of the surname is probably that of Lyubava Dmitrievna, in the charters of the city of Novograd, Russia, in the year 1100.

The surname Demeter. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Research into the possible origins of demeter leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname demeter, and in addition to the original locations of demeter, we can find out where people with the surname demeter can currently be found.

The surname Demeter around the world

There is a considerable probability that demeter has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where demeter is most abundant are the following. The mobility of people carrying the surname demeter has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Demeter

The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named demeter are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname demeter are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective.

It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of demeter could be modified. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname demeter or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of demeter.

Notable Figures Named Demeter

We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname demeter, even though not all have been documented to our present day. A surname like demeter can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames.

The surname Demeter and its bibliographic sources

The bibliography collects information related to the surname demeter, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname demeter, as well as many other surnames.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of demeter, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Demeter