|
![Show Contents]() Donalds History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland Ireland
The age-old Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Donalds family. Their name comes from a powerful ruler. The name Donald is derived from the Gaelic name Domhnull, or MacDhomhnuill, and the Celtic name Dubnovalos, all of which mean "world ruler" or "world-mighty". The name ranks second only to John in its popularity as a personal name in Scotland. Early Origins of the Donalds familyThe surname Donalds was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway), where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. Early History of the Donalds familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Donalds research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1575, 1620, 1703, 1713, 1780 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Donalds History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Donalds Spelling VariationsMedieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Donalds has been spelled Donald, Donaldson, Doneld, Donnald, Donnaldson and others. Early Notables of the Donalds familyNotable amongst the Clan from early times was - James Donaldson (fl. 1713), was a Scottish miscellaneous writer, a native of Scotland, was a gentleman in straitened circumstances who sought to obtain patronage by the publication of various pieces i...
- Walter Donaldson (fl. 1620), was a Scottish philosophical writer, a native of Aberdeen, born about 1575. His father, Alexander Donaldson, is described as an esquire; his mother was Elizabeth, the daug...
 Migration of the Donalds family to Ireland
Some of the Donalds family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 90 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Donalds migration to Canada | + |
Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Donaldss to arrive on North American shores: Donalds Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century- Mrs. Mary Donalds U.E. who settled in St. John River, New Brunswick c. 1784 listed as a passenger aboard the ship "Cyrus", picked up on August 21, 1783 at New York 1
- Mr. Timothy Donalds U.E. who settled in St. John River, New Brunswick c. 1784 listed as a passenger aboard the ship "Cyrus", picked up on August 21, 1783 at New York 1
- Miss. Moses Done U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harboutr, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 listed as a child under 10 years of age 1
- Ms. Florence Donawan U.E. who settled in Fredericksburgh [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1786 1
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Per mare, per terras
Motto Translation: By sea, by land.
- Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
|
Donalds migration to Canada 
