  In this paper we present an error analysis of an Eulerian finite element
method for solving parabolic partial differential equations posed on evolving
hypersurfaces in $\mathbb{R}^d$, $d=2,3$. The method employs discontinuous
piecewise linear in time -- continuous piecewise linear in space finite
elements and is based on a space-time weak formulation of a surface PDE
problem. Trial and test surface finite element spaces consist of traces of
standard volumetric elements on a space-time manifold resulting from the
evolution of a surface. We prove first order convergence in space and time of
the method in an energy norm and second order convergence in a weaker norm.
Furthermore, we derive regularity results for solutions of parabolic PDEs on an
evolving surface, which we need in a duality argument used in the proof of the
second order convergence estimate.
