Doerksen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The historical and enchanting region of Austria is the ancient homeland of the distinguished Doerksen family. Austria, which was originally home to a Celtic people, was conquered by the Roman Empire in about 15 BC. Following the fall of Rome, Austria was repeatedly invaded by barbarian tribes, such as the Vandals, Visigoths, and Huns, who swept in from the east. During the 5th and 6th centuries, the Alemanni, Avars and Slavs settled Austria. The Avars were defeated in 785 by the Frankish emperor Charlemagne, who set up the East Mark, which later became known as the Österreich. Austria was ruled by the Babenburger dynasty until 1278, when they were succeeded by the Hapsburg dynasty, which ruled Austria until the 20th century.

Early Origins of the Doerksen family

The surname Doerksen was first found in Austria, where the name could be considered to have made a major contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early development of Europe. The name became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses in Austria and Germany which played important roles in the savage tribal and national conflicts, each group supremacy in a changing territorial profile.

Early History of the Doerksen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Doerksen research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1446 is included under the topic Early Doerksen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doerksen Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Doerksen include Dorr, Doerr, Dor, Doer, Dorrs, Dors, Dorrer, Doerrer, Deorrie and many more.

Early Notables of the Doerksen family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Doerksen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doerksen migration to the United States +

After the First World War, Austria became a republic. The Treaty of Versailles broke up the empire in 1919 and many of the Sudeten Germans were incorporated into the new nation of Czechoslovakia. In the 20th century, many Austrians migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Doerksen were

Doerksen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Sarah Doerksen, who arrived in New York, NY in 1878 1

Doerksen migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Doerksen Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Abraham Doerksen, who arrived in Manitoba in 1874
Johan Doerksen, who arrived in Manitoba in 1874
David Doerksen, who arrived in Manitoba in 1875
Jacob Doerksen, who landed in Manitoba in 1875
Catharina Doerksen, who landed in Manitoba in 1876
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Doerksen (post 1700) +

Victor Doerksen (b. 1953), Canadian politician, former cabinet minister in Alberta, Canada
Trevor Doerksen, Canadian producer and director, founder and CEO of MoboVivo
Joseph Daniel "Joe" Doerksen (b. 1977), Canadian mixed martial artist from New Bothwell, Manitoba
Heather Doerksen, Canadian Leo Award nominated actress, known for Pacific Rim (2013), The Cabin in the Woods (2012) and The Uninvited (2009)
Brian Robert Doerksen (b. 1965), Canadian Christian singer-songwriter and worship leader from Abbotsford, British Columbia
Arno Doerksen (b. 1958), Canadian politician, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Strathmore-Brooks (2008-2012)

The Doerksen Motto +

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: Ad majorem dei gloriam
Motto Translation: For the greater glory of God

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)