Show ContentsDaines History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the name Daines date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Daines family lived in the valley or the dann. The surname often meant the dweller in the valley. 1

Alternatively the name could have been "derived from the name of an ancestor, 'the son of Daniel,' from nickname Dan. " 2

Early Origins of the Daines family

The surname Daines was first found in Sussex where Geoffrey atte Danne was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. Later in Sussex, Simon Dann was found in the Subsidy Rolls for 1332. 1

Early History of the Daines family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Daines research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1327 is included under the topic Early Daines History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Daines Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Daines are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Daines include: Dan, Dann, Danne, Dans, Danns, Dannes and others.

Early Notables of the Daines family

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

Ireland Migration of the Daines family to Ireland

Some of the Daines family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Daines family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Daines or a variant listed above: George Dan who settled in Virginia in 1655; John Dan settled in Barbados in 1678; Jacob Dann settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1870.


Contemporary Notables of the name Daines (post 1700) +

  • Robert H. Daines III (b. 1934), American Driggs Professor of Strategic Management at Brigham Young University (BYU)
  • Richard Frederick Daines (1951-2011), American physician, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health from 2007 through 2010
  • Steven David "Steve" Daines (b. 1962), American businessman and Republican politician, United States Senator from Montana (2015-)
  • Barry Daines (b. 1951), English former professional footballer who played from 1969 to 1984
  • Percy Daines (1902-1957), British insurance agent and politician, Co-operative Party Member of Parliament for East Ham North (1945-1957)
  • Daines Barrington FRS, FSA (1727-1800), English lawyer, antiquary and naturalist, fourth son of John Barrington, 1st Viscount Barrington 3


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 6 June 2019


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