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In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Douglas has been spelled Douglas, Douglass, Dougliss, Dougless, Dowglas, Duglas, Duglass and many more.
First found in Moray, where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Douglas: Charles Douglas who settled in New Jersey in 1685; Hugh Douglas settled in Virginia in 1635; John Douglas settled in Virginia in 1655; Lee William Douglas settled in Virginia in 1655.
Motto Translated: Never behind.
For more information on the last name Douglas, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.
Suggested Readings for the name Douglas
- A Branch of the Douglas Family With Its Maryland & Virginia Connections by Harry Wright Newman.
- Aaron Douglas (1900-1979), American artist
- Stephen Arnold Douglas (1813-1861), American statesman and the Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860
- Frederick Douglas (1818-1895), an American abolitionist, orator and journalist
- Donald Wills Douglas (1892-1981), American aircraft industrialist and founder of the Douglas Aircraft Company in 1921 (the company later merged into McDonnell Douglas Corporation)
- Kirk Douglas (1916-1861), American actor and film producer
- Michael Douglas (1944-1807), American actor and producer and two-time Academy Award-winner
- William Orville Douglas (1898-1980), American Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
- Donna Douglas (b. 1933), American character actress best-known for her role as Elly May Clampett in the long-running television series The Beverly Hillbillies
- David Douglas (1798-1834), Scottish botanist
- George Norman Douglas (1868-1952), Scottish novelist
- Robert Douglas (1594-1674), Scottish Presbyterian minister
- Sir William Fettes Douglas (1822-1891), Scottish landscape painter
- John Douglas (1844-1900), 9th Marquess of Queensberry, Scottish nobleman
- Denzil Douglas (b. 1953), Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis
- James Douglas (1803-1877), Scottish-Canadian governor of the colony of Vancouver Island
- Norman Douglas (1868-1952), British author
- Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas (1870-1945), English poet
- Mary Douglas DBE, FBA (1921-2007), English social anthropologist
- Sir William Sholto Douglas (1893-1969), English air force officer
- Keith Douglas (1920-1944), English poet of World War II
- Lt. Col. Campbell Mellis Douglas (1840-1909), Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross
Douglas Clan Badge
A clan is a social group made up of a number of distinct branch-families that actually descended from, or accepted themselves as descendants of, a common ancestor. The word clan means simply children. The idea of the clan as a community is necessarily based around this idea of heredity and is most often ruled according to a patriarchal structure. For instance, the clan chief represented the hereditary "parent" of the entire clan. The most prominent example of this form of society is the Scottish Clan system...
MoreSepts of the Distinguished Name Douglas
Caffie, Cavers, Clendenin, Clendenine, Clendening, Clendenink, Clendennine, Clendenning, Clendennink, Clendining, Clendinnine, Clendinning, Clendinnink, Clenindin, Dawglas, Dawglass, Dawgless, Dawgliss, Dogles, Douglas, Douglase, Douglass, Dougles, Dougless, Douglis, Dougliss, Douglles, Dowglas, Draysdal, Draysdale, Draysdel, Draysdell, Draysdil, Draysdile, Draysdul, Draysdyle, Drisdal, Drisdale, Drisdele, Drisdelle, Drisdil, Drisdile, Drisdul, Drisdyle, Drisedal, Drisedale, Drisedil, Drisedile, Drisedul, Drisedyle and more.
Tell Me More About Family Crests
Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist
We have researched the Douglas family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.
Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...
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Family Crests: Timeline
Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...
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Family Crests: Elements
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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate
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Douglas Family Crest Products
Anniversary products for the name Douglas. Apparel for the Douglas family crest. Armorial histories for the name Douglas. Ceramics showing the Douglas family crest. Clan Badges for the name Douglas. Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces. Coat of Arms for the name Douglas. Downloads featuring the family crest for the surname Douglas. Family Crest for the name Douglas. Family Tree showing the Douglas family crest. Hand Painted Plaques with the coat of arms for the name Douglas. Keychains with the coat of arms for the name Douglas. Mouse pads displaying the family crest for the name Douglas. New Products with the coat of arms for the name Douglas. Packages proudly displaying the Douglas family crest. Plaques and Frames with a Douglas coat of arms. Surname Histories for the name Douglas. Symbolism emphasing the Douglas family crest. Travel Mugs revealing the family crest for the surname Douglas. |
The Douglas Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Douglas Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.
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Top 7 Gifts
- Coat of Arms / Family Crest Coffee Mug
- Coffee mugs (set of four)
- Pair of Coffee Mugs & Pair of Keychains
- Beer Stein
- Pair of Beer Steins
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- Set of Four Large Tiles with Clan Badge
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- Set of four Shot Glasses
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- Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 150 DPI
- Family Crest Image (jpg) Legacy Series - 150 DPI
- Family Crest Image (JPG) Book Plated - 150 DPI
- Family Crest Image (jpg) Heirloom Series - 150 DPI
- PDF Anniversary Bond: Celtic Style
- PDF Anniversary Bond: Gothic Style
- Clan Badge Image (JPG)
- PDF Coat of Arms Symbolism (Letter Size)
- PDF Surname History (Letter Size)
- PDF Family Tree Template
- Coat of Arms with Frame
- Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
- Armorial History with Coat of Arms
- Armorial History Landscape Style
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- Deluxe Coat of Arms Symbolism
- Record Your Own Family Tree
- Mouse Pad & Keychain Combo Package
- Pair of Coffee Mugs & Pair of Keychains
- Armorial, Symbolism & Large Ceramic Tile
- Armorial History with Frame
- Framed Surname History and Coat of Arms
- Clan Badge Print
- Coat of Arms Print
- Coat of Arms Symbolism
- Set of Four Large Tiles with Clan Badge
- Combo Package 1
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- Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
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- Pair of Keychains
- Set of 10 Keychains
- Mouse Pad & Keychain Combo Package
- Pair of Coffee Mugs & Pair of Keychains
- Pair of Beer Steins
- Pair of Travel Mugs
- Coffee mugs (set of four)
- Set of Four Large Tiles with Coat of Arms
- Set of Four Small Tiles with Coat of Arms
- Tote Bag and Water Bottle

















