The Dutch surname De Beers is a  nickname for someone thought to resemble a bear, from the Dutch term  beer meaning “ bear.” The name would indicate somebody that was as strong as a bear. The name is first recorded in the 16th Century in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The name was brought to South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 17th Century.  A notable bearer of the name was Rachel de Beer ( 1831-1843 ) the daughter of George Stephanus de Beer (b. 1794 ) who gave her life in order to save that of her brother during a trek from the Orange Free State to the South-Eastern Transvaal.   

 DE BEERS ( DE BEER ) RAISED CREST RING