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
- Miranda Dear, British-born Australian film and TV producer
- Nick Dear (born 1955), British screenwriter
- Noach Dear (1953-2020), American politician and judge
- Paul Dear (born 1966), Australian rules footballer
- Terry Dear (1913–1995), Australian radio personality
- William Dear (born 1944), Canadian film director
- William Dear (detective) (born 1937), American private investigator