DeMars
A French surname that likely means “from March” or, more broadly, is tied to the month of March in a nickname-like way.
The #8,093 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 75,359 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The cited source treats Demars as a French nickname built from mars, the month of March. In that explanation, the name is understood literally as “born in March” or “of March,” rather than as a place-name or occupation. Because this is a short historical note and not a full dictionary entry, the exact nuance should be kept a little flexible.
History
The surname is found in French-speaking naming traditions and later appears in North America, where it is often written with the prefix attached as DeMars. Such forms were commonly stabilized in records as family names moved between French and English spelling habits. The surname is uncommon but recognizable as part of the broader group of French surnames formed from dates, saints’ days, or calendar terms.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
French surnames based on months or feast days were often used as nicknames before becoming inherited family names.
From the historical record
“sainte Croix), 25 mai (Saint-Urbain). Demars. Né au mois de mars. Demay. l» Né au mois de mai ; 2" voisin d'un mai. On appelait ainsi 1 arbre planté le premier jour de mai : 3" gêné, fatigué (demai, oc).”
— Dictionnaire des noms (French surnames)