Surname Dempster - Meaning and Origin
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Dempster: What does the surname Dempster mean?
The surname Dempster is derived from the Old English word 'dem-prest', which describes a judge of a court of law. It is believed that this was the occupation of ancestors of the Dempster family, in particular, the ancient Lords of Dempster who lived in Scotland.
Dempster is an occupational surname, which refers to a person who held the judicial position of lawman or judge. Demster is thought to have evolved from the Old English stem 'dem-', meaning firmly to take control over, and pesta, meaning judge. In the broader sense of the occupational name, it can be understood to have a connotation of endorsement, adjudication, leadership, and the passing of judgement in a court of law.
This common surname can be found in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, and it is a particularly popular surname in County Tipperary, Ireland, where the name Dempster may have originated from. The earliest known record of the Dempster surname was from 1260, in the court records of Edinburgh in Scotland.
The Dempster family first worked as Judicial Officers of the court of law in the Middle Ages. In Scotland the surname is most often associated with the area of East Lothian, where the Dempster family has been associated with local government since medieval times.
The Dempster surname is a distinct and unique occupational name that identifies with respect and wisdom. This name continues to demonstrate a proud and independent spirit, and those with the Dempster family name can continue to honour their ancestors and their distinguished profession.
Order DNA origin analysisDempster: Where does the name Dempster come from?
The surname Dempster is most commonly found in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the English counties of Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland. The name is particularly common in the North East of England. It is also well represented in the United States, particularly in the midwestern states of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio.
In Scotland, the Dempster family has a long and royal history, beginning with the 12th century William I of Scotland. One of his descendants was Sir Thomas Dempster, a noted 15th century scholar and historian. The Dempsters were then prominent in Scotland's politics and legal affairs, until eventually settling in Montrose, Angus -- where the family's surname remains common today.
In Northern Ireland, the Dempster surname may have been derived from the Norman French word meaning "impetuous." The name is particularly common in the county of Antrim.
The name is also well-photographed in England's rural communities, particularly in its Northern regions. A scan of the 1901 census reveals that the name was most popular in Cumberland, a rural county in North West England.
In the United States, the Dempster surname is most prevalent in the Midwest. Illinois, in particular, claims the largest population of Dempsters. The 2010 US Census placed its total number at just under 4,400.
Today, the surname Dempster is most strongly associated with Scotland and the North East of England, but is well represented in many countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Dempster
The surname Dempster has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling is “Dempster,” which originates from Scotland. In Scotland, the surname was derived from the office of King’s Justiciar who was responsible for enforcing royal judgments. The other variants and variations include: Dampster, Denpster, Dempsey, Demspey, Dempsy, Demspee, Tempser, Tempster, Dimpster, Dimpsey, and Dimsby. In England, the surname may have referred to someone who worked in a court as a “dempster,” a term used to describe a law clerk or other judicial official.
In Scotland, the surname is also spelled Dumfries, which is derived from the city of Dumfries in the Scottish lowlands. The Dumfries spelling can be found in many historical records throughout Scotland. The Irish variant of Dempster is Dempsey, which is taken from a village called “Dempsey” in County Cork, Ireland. In the United States, the surname is often spelled as “Dempsey” which is derived from the Irish spelling and pronunciation.
The surname Dempsey has become more common with immigrants from Ireland. There are also variants of Dempster found in Australia, such as Dampster, Demspey, and Dimpsey.
As the Dampster variant of the surname, Dempster can be found in many historical records, suggesting that variants of the surname are most likely derived from the same origin. Thus, Dempster, Dempsey, Dampster, Denpster, Demspey, Dempsy, Demspee, Tempser, Tempster, Dimpster, Dimpsey, and Dimsby can be all considered variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Dempster
- Emma Dempster: Emma is a Northern Irish football player. She competes for both Northern Ireland's national team and Glasgow City FC.
- Dave Dempster: Dave is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played professionally from 1984 to 1991 and was the captain of the Kamloops Blazers during the 1989-90 season.
- Glen Dempster: Glen is an Australian former international Rugby Union player. He played sixteen matches for the Wallabies between 1994 and 1996, and he won the Super 12 in 1997.
- Garry Dempster: Garry is a British former professional football player. He had a long career spanning almost two decades, playing for a number of teams including Bristol City and Wigan Athletic.
- Sarah Dempster: Sarah is a British journalist and the current editor of Private Eye magazine. She was previously a feature writer and editor for The Guardian.
- Lori Dempster: Lori is a Canadian figure skater and coach. She is the 2005 Canadian junior champion and has also competed at the senior national level.
- Mark Dempster: Mark is a Scottish actor, best known for his roles in EastEnders and Holby City.
- Warwick Dempster: Warwick is an Australian cricketer who represented New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield from 1972 to 1976.
- Bruce Dempster: Bruce is a Canadian politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1981 to 1985.