Origin of the surname Donn

This interesting surname, with variant spellings Dunn, Dunne, Don, Donn and Donne, may be either Celtic - Gaelic or Anglo-Saxon in origin. It derives from the Old Gaelic "donn", brown, or the Old English pre 7th Century "dunn", brown, or the Old English pre 7th Century "dunn", dull brown or dark, and was originally given as a distinguishing nickname to someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion. The surname first appears on record in England in the latter part of the 12th Century, (see below).

John le Dunn, witness, was noted in the 1198 "Fine court Rolls of Hertfordshire and Jobin Don appears in "The Staffordshire Forest Pleas", dated 1271. Adam le Donn or le Dun was recorded in the 1275 "Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire" and in a "Calendar of documents relating to Scotland". Notable namebearers were Sir George Don, (1754-1832), general, second in command the forces of Scotland, 1804, liutenant - Governor of Gibralter, 1814; G.C.B., 1820, and David Don, (1800-1841); professor of botany in King's College, London, 1836-1841. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Dun, which was dated 1180, in the "Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire", during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Builder of Churches", 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Donn. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The history of the surname donn is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of donn. Research into the possible origins of donn leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname donn, and in addition to the original locations of donn, we can find out where people with the surname donn can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of donn.

The surname Donn around the world

It is common for surnames like donn to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. There is a considerable probability that donn has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where donn is most abundant are the following. The mobility of people carrying the surname donn has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Donn

The historical journey of the surname donn can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of donn. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named donn are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname donn are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname donn.

You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname donn, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of donn could be modified. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname donn or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of donn.

Notable Figures Named Donn

Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all donns who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname donn, even though not all have been documented to our present day. A surname like donn can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname donn, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname donn who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Donn and its bibliographic sources

It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname donn. The bibliography collects information related to the surname donn, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname donn, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of donn.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of donn, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Donn