Derrick

Derrick is an English given name derived from the medieval Dutch and Low German form Diederik, itself a variant of the Germanic name Theodoric, composed of the elements theud meaning people or nation and ric meaning power or ruler. The name was introduced to England through contact with the Low Countries during the late medieval period. A notable historical association is with a 17th-century London hangman surnamed Derrick, whose name became the origin of the word derrick, later applied to hoisting devices. Related forms include Derek, Deric, Theodoric, and Dirk.