Donkand History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The Dalriadan clans of ancient Scotland spawned the ancestors of the Donkand family. Their name comes from the Gaelic personal name "Donnchad," which means "brown warrior". The personal name Donnchad is composed of two elements; "donn," which means "brown" and "cath," which means "warrior".

Early Origins of the Donkand family

The surname Donkand was first found in Northumberland, where they held great estates but were a branch of the distinguished Scottish Clan of Duncan who were originally of Iona in the Hebrides, but changed their name and continued to use the basic Coat of Arms of the Duncan Clan.

Early History of the Donkand family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Donkand research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Donkand History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Donkand Spelling Variations

The medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English created many spelling variations of the same name. Donkand has been recorded as Donkin, Downkin, Donking, Donken, Downken and others.

Early Notables of the Donkand family

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

Migration of the Donkand family

Descendents of Dalriadan-Scottish families still populate many communities across North America. They are particularly common in Canada, since many went north as United Empire Loyalists at the time of the American War of Independence. Much later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the highland games and Clan societies that now dot North America sprang up, allowing many Scots to recover their lost national heritage. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Donkand, or a variant listed above: Patrick Donkin arrived in Pennsylvania in 1820.

The Donkand 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: Disce pati
Motto Translation: Learn to suffer.