Delaware Look up Delaware at Dictionary.com
U.S. state, river, Indian tribe, named for the bay, which was named for Baron (commonly "Lord") De la Warr (Thomas West, 1577-1618), first Eng. colonial governor of Virginia. The family name is attested from 1201, from Delaware in Brasted, Kent, probably ult. from de la werre "of the war" (a warrior), from O.Fr. werre/guerre "war."