Surname Origin

SURNAME ORIGIN AND MEANING

There are various schools of thought as to what DEXTER means and where it comes from. You decide:

The name DEXTER is the Latinised Greek word 'dexiteros' meaning skilful, fortunate and right or right-hand (as opposed to left, or sinister). Source: Dictionary.Net and Wikipedia.Org

DEXTER is a commonly used term in heraldry referring to the right-hand side of a shield from the wearer's point of view. Source: Dictionary.Net

DEXTER is an English occupational name from the East Midlands; it is from the Middle English for 'dyster' or 'dyer' (i.e. a dyer of cloths). Source: Ancestry.Com

DEXTER is a contraction of 'De Exeter' meaning from the town of Exeter in Devon, England. Source: Searchforancestors.Com

"Probably a nickname from Old French 'destriere', Middle English 'dextrer' = a war horse, charger probably deriving from Latin 'dexter ' = right (after the fashion of right hand man). Ralph le Dextere is recorded in a Roll of 1262." Source: Coat of Arms For All, Caxton House, 63-65 High Street, Tenterden, Kent, UK

Other DEXTER facts

DEXTER is also a breed of small hardy cattle originating from the Kerry breed of Ireland, valuable both for beef and milk. They are usually chiefly black, sometimes red, and somewhat resemble a small shorthorn in build. Source: Dictionary.Net

DEXTER is the name of 21 places in the USA. Source: Wikipedia.Org

If you have a different opinion on the origin and meaning or want to share other DEXTER facts, please email me.