Show ContentsDurkee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Durkee family

The surname Durkee was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in North Holland, a province of the Netherlands. The principal cities are Amsterdam, Haarlem and Hilversum. It was the seat of the old Counts of Holland. Seat of one of the oldest families is Brederode Castle near Haarlem. There are many old and quaint towns in the province. including Medemblik, Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Edam, and Monnikendam. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Durkee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Durkee research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1846 is included under the topic Early Durkee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Durkee Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Dirk, Dirke, Dirkes, Dirks, Dirck, Durk, Durck, Durke, van Dirk, Dirike, Dierkes and many more.

Early Notables of the Durkee family

More information is included under the topic Early Durkee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Durkee Ranking

In the United States, the name Durkee is the 6,819th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. [1]


United States Durkee migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Durkee Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Cydney Durkee, aged 23, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Caspa Hauser" in 1835 [2]
  • June Durkee, aged 28, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Prince Henry" in 1846 [2]
  • J. Durkee, aged 27, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Blanche" in 1852 [2]
  • Mary Durkee, aged 20, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "James Foster Jr" in 1855 [2]
  • D. Durkee, aged 55, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "New York" in 1861 [2]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Durkee Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Robert C. Durkee, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Gorgon" in 1957 [3]

Canada Durkee migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Durkee Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Lydia Durkee, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1762
Durkee Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Durkee, who arrived in Ontario in 1871

Contemporary Notables of the name Durkee (post 1700) +

  • Wallace L. Durkee, American Republican politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Ashford, 1912, 1916 [4]
  • Ruel Durkee, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Hampshire, 1880 [4]
  • Robert A. Durkee (1915-1997), American politician, Member of Montana State House of Representatives, 1953-57; Member of Montana State Senate, 1957-65 [4]
  • John Durkee, American politician, Member of New Hampshire State Senate 11th District, 1816-17, 1818-20 [4]
  • Jacob H. Durkee, American politician, Representative from New York 32nd District, 1906 [4]
  • J. Stanley Durkee, American politician, Dry Candidate for Delegate to New York convention to ratify 21st amendment, 1933 [4]
  • Frederick B. Durkee, American Republican politician, Mayor of North Tonawanda, New York, 1956 [4]
  • Elisha Durkee, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Cayuga County, 1810-11 [4]
  • Charles Durkee (1805-1870), American politician, U.S. Representative from Wisconsin 1st District, 1849-53; U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, 1855-61; Governor of Utah Territory, 1865-69 [4]
  • Brigadier-General Dale Durkee Hinman (1891-1949), American Commanding Officer 38th Coast Artillery Brigade (1941-1942) [5]

Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. Charles  Durkee (1875-1917), Canadian stationed with Canadian Infantry 219th Battalion from Beaver River, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries [6]


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  3. National Records Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Gallery151/dist/JGalleryViewer.aspx?B=9255624&S=6&N=9&R=0#/SearchNRetrieve/NAAMedia/ShowImage.aspx?B=9255624&T=P&S=1
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 4) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  5. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 30) Dale Hinman. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Hinman/Dale_Durkee/USA.html
  6. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance


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