Meaning: Its source is denu, an Old English name meaning "Valley dweller."

Narrative: This name has at least two other possible origins.

It could have been a surname for a person holding the ecclesiastical title of dean, or the servant of such a person. This title is derived from the Latin word deacanus, which means ''leader of ten (priests).''

Alternatively, it might be a respelling of Dino, a shortened form of the Italian name Bernardino.