This German surname DACH was derived from the Old German DACHS, and was a nickname given to someone who resembled a badger in some way, for example in nocturnal habits, or in having a streak of white hair. The name is also spelt TAKS, TAX, DACHE and DAX. The first hereditary surnames on German soil are found in the second half of the 12th century, slightly later than in England and France. However, it was not until the 16th century that they became stabilized. The practice of adopting hereditary surnames began in the southern areas of Germany, and gradually spread northwards during the Middle Ages. The name was also adopted by Ashkenazic Jews with the name origin as the German surname. In England the name was DOECCA (of uncertain origin) which may have survived into the Middle English period as a given name. The surname was found mainly in County Norfolk in the thirteenth century, and appears to have stayed there. The earliest of the name recorded seems to be DACKE (without surname) who appears in 1250, County Essex, and Hugo filius Decche was recorded there in 1300. Alexander Dacke of County Norfolk, who was documented in 1273. Simon Dack was the rector of Brampton, County Norfolk in 1404, and Roger Dack of Heydon, County Norfolk was rector there in the same year. Edward Dack and Sarah Harrington were married at St. Dionis Backchurch, London in 1653. The name could also have been a locational name of Dagenham in County Essex. The rise of surnames, according to the accepted theory, was due to the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is often assumed that men 'adopted' their surnames. Some certainly did, but the individual himself had no need for a label to distinguish him from his fellows. The development of the feudal system made it essential that the king should know exactly what service each knight owed. Payments to and by the exchequer required that debtors and creditors should be particularized. Monasteries drew up surveys and extents with details of tenants of all classes in their services. Any description which identified the man was satisfactory, his father's name, the name of his land, or a nickname known to be his. The upper classes mostly illiterate, were those with whom the officials were chiefly concerned and among them surnames first became numerous and hereditary. Translation of arms: Gules (red) denoted military fortitude and magnanimity, and the swords were frequently used in coat armour as an emblem of power. |
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