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 South Holland, a province of Holland, the most crowded province of the Netherlands. The principal cities are Rotterdam, Leyden and Shiedam. Noted is the famed castle of Teilengen where Jacqueline of Bavaria is buried. 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. Originally the family were known as the Duyst van de Werff.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Laurens Duyts, who came to New York in 1639; Katharine Doust, who settled in Illinois in 1850; Christine Dutt, who settled in North America in 1852; Arthur Doust, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1892.

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