Dear is an English surname. Notable people with the surname include: Brian Dear (born 1943), English footballer Cleveland Dear (1888-1950), American politician Greg Dear (born 1963), Australian rules footballer Jeremy Dear (born 1966), British journalist Jim Dear (1910-1981), British sportsperson John Dear (born 1959), American Roman Catholic Jesuit priest Matthew Dear (born 1979), American music producer Nick Dear (born 1955), British screenwriter Noach Dear (1953-2020), American politician and judge Paul Dear (born 1966), Australian rules footballer William Dear (born 1944), Canadian film director William Dear (detective) (born 1937), American private investigator See also Deer (surname) Deere