Donan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The lineage of the name Donan begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It is a result of when they lived in the region of Dunning in the lower part of Strathearn. Today Dunning is the process of communicating with customers to ensure the collection of accounts receivable derived from the 17th century verb "dun," meaning to demand payment of a debt.

Early Origins of the Donan family

The surname Donan was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Donan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Donan research. Another 243 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1199, 1200, 1234, 1437, 1440, 1514 and 1782 are included under the topic Early Donan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Donan Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Donan has undergone many spelling variations, including Dunning, Dunnings, Douning, Downing, Dunnin and many more.

Early Notables of the Donan family

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

Migration of the Donan family to Ireland

Some of the Donan 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.

Donan migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Donan were among those contributors:

Donan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas Donan, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1803
Tho Donan, aged 23, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 1
Alexander Donan, who arrived in New York in 1816 1
Peter Donan, who landed in Mississippi in 1837 1

Donan migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Donan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Anthony Donan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 2
John Donan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 2
Agnes Donan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 2
Margaret Donan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 2
Elizabeth Donan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 2

The Donan 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: Studiis et rebus honestis
Motto Translation: By study and honourable pursuits.

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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) WILLIAM NICOL. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840WilliamNichol.htm