Dejani is named likely for its founders: individuals with surname Dejan. The first mention of the surname Dejan can be found in the 1674 Urbarium. Ivan and Peter Dejan (Deän) existed in the župa of Zilje, but undoubtedly lived in Dejani.
The first notation in birth or marriage registers of people with surname Dejan was in 1758.
Prior to 1800, there were only 3 households: Veliki Dejani (Dejani 6), Bahoričevi (Dejani 7) and Antonovi (Dejani 8). The status animarum states that the household of Dejani 20 is named Juranovi, and this was an offshoot of the Veliki Dejani.
The last individual born with surname Dejan was in ca.1900 at the Juranovi.
| 1800 | 1900 | 2000 | Old House # | New House # |
| Veliki Dejani | Veliki Dejani | ? | Balkovci 6 | Balkovci 8 |
| Bahoriči | Bahoriči | Bahoriči | Balkovci 7 | Balkovci 7 |
| Antonovi | Antonovi | ? | Balkovci 8 | Balkovci 9 |
| Juranovi | Dejanski/Juranovi | Balkovci 20 | Balkovci 10 |