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![Show Contents]() Donalds Surname History
- Origins Available:
 Scotland Ireland
The Donalds family history stretches back to the clans of the Dalriadan kingdom on the sea-swept Hebrides islands and mountainous western coast of Scotland. The name Donalds is derived 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 translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Donalds has been written as 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 | + |
The descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name Donalds or a variant listed above include: 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
- 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
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Donalds migration to Canada 
