Name «Derzh»

The name 'Derzh' is a Slavic truncation of a two-root name related to models such as Dьrzhikray, Dьrzhimir, Dьrzhislav, and Lyubodьrzh. The basis for this name is the verb "derzhati," which translates to 'to possess, to hold, to have' (Svob 75). Most mentions of this name date back to the 13th century and originate from the southern Carpathian region. For example, in 1213, the name Ders filius Derseo appears in documents from the comitat of Krasna or Siladi (Reg Var 176); in 1215, Dirs pristaldus is mentioned in the village of Vіsol in the comitat of Aba-uy (Reg Var 194). There is also a reference to the toponym villa Dirsig from 1213 in the comitat of Krasna or Siladi (Reg Var 165). Verbal-derived anthroponyms with the root 'derzh-' appear in Eastern Slavic languages; for instance, in 1568, the name Andrey Yanovich Derzhko is mentioned (Tup 127), and the patronymic Derzhkovich is noted in 1496 from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Tup 530). Interestingly, in the Old Ukrainian language, the term "derzhavets" in the Polish Kingdom meant 'assistant to the starosta' (SSUM I 295).