Donan Surname History

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The spelling and overall form of Irish names often vary considerably. The original Gaelic form of the name Donan is Ó Dunain. The name is thought to have originally been derived from the word "donn," which meant "brown." 1

Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Irish Gaelic Ó Duibhgenain which roughly translates into English as follows: "dubh" as "black of dark;" "gen" as "a sword or wound;" and "an" as "one who." 2

Early Origins of the Donan family

The surname Donan was first found in Roscommon, where they held a family seat at Kilronan. 2 One of the first records of the name was Saint Donnán of Eigg (died 617) and Irish Gaelic priest who attempted to introduce Christianity to the Picts of northwestern Scotland. Donnán is the patron saint of Eigg, an island in the Inner Hebrides where he was martyred. Later, Maelmuire O Dunain, was Bishop of Meath (1096-1117.) The next listing was of Adam O'Dounan in a County Roscommon land case in 1299. 1 Shortly after, Ferrall Muinach O'Duignan began the Church of Kilronan in 1339. This church, over looking Lake Meelagh, was of great national interest in that it is reportedly the burial place of Carolan. John Ballach O'Dugenan was chief of his Clan when they were dispossessed of their estates in Kilronan.

They later were landed gentry in the parish of Dromleas, in the barony of Drumaheare, county of Leitrim, estates which they held until the Cromwellian confiscations in the 17th century. They were noted for their great contributions to history and literature. Manus O'Duigenan contributed to the Book of Ballymote, sometimes called the Book of Kilronan, or the Book of the O'Duigenans, which became one of the chronicles of the Four Masters. 2

Early History of the Donan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Donan research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1788 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Donan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Donan Spelling Variations

Because early scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded, a person could have many various spellings of his name.Many different spelling variations of the surname Donan were found in the archives researched. These included Duignan, O'Duignan, Doonan, O'Doonan, Dignan, O'Dignan, Dignam, O'Donnan, Donnan, O'Dignam, Duigenan, O'Duigenan, Donan 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.

Donan migration to the United States +

A massive wave of Irish immigrants hit North America during the 19th century. Although many early Irish immigrants made a carefully planned decision to leave left Ireland for the promise of free land, by the 1840s immigrants were fleeing a famine stricken land in desperation. The condition of Ireland during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s can be attributed to a rapidly expanding population and English imperial policies. Those Irish families that arrived in North America were essential to its rapid social, industrial, and economic development. Passenger and immigration lists have revealed a number of early Irish immigrants bearing the name Donan:

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 3
Alexander Donan, who arrived in New York in 1816 3
Peter Donan, who landed in Mississippi in 1837 3

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 4
John Donan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 4
Agnes Donan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 4
Margaret Donan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 4
Elizabeth Donan, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 4

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
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