Donnison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The Donnison surname is a patronymic, created from the personal name Dennis; thus the name originally meant "son of Dennis." Dennis comes ultimately from the Latin Dionysius.

Early Origins of the Donnison family

The surname Donnison was first found in Yorkshire where the first record of the name was found in 1212. Richard Dionys of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. 1

Some were found at the chapelry of Speeton in the East Riding of Yorkshire. "This township, which belongs to W. J. Denison, Esq., comprises about 1820 acres of land, and commands a beautiful view of the shore from Scarborough to Flamborough Head: the village is situated on an eminence north-east of the road from Bridlington to Scarborough." 2

However, there is much dispute over the origin of the name. Some claim the name was derived from the Scottish Dennistouns. 3 Yet the author admits that name was also found in Norfolk and Suffolk in early times too. Thomas Denison, one of the Society of Merchant Adventurers, was buried in Leeds parish church in 1708.

Early History of the Donnison family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Donnison research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1381, 1590, 1629, 1694, 1714, 1782 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Donnison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Donnison Spelling Variations

Although Medieval Scotland lacked a basic set of spelling rules, which meant that scribes recorded names according to their sounds it was not uncommon for the names of a father and son to be recorded differently. As a result, there are many spelling variations of Scottish single names. Donnison has been written Dennison, Denison, Denson, Dennistoun, Dennistown, Dennisone and many more.

Early Notables of the Donnison family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Donnison Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Donnison family to Ireland

Some of the Donnison family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Donnison migration to the United States +

Thousands of Scots left their home country to travel to Ireland or Australia, or to cross the Atlantic for the North American colonies. The difficult crossing was an enormous hurdle, but those who survived found freedom and opportunity in ample measure. Some Scots even fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence. This century, their ancestors have become aware of the illustrious history of the Scots in North America and at home through Clan societies and other organizations. Passenger and immigration lists show many early and influential immigrants bearing the name Donnison:

Donnison Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Miss Charlatte Donnison, (b. 1837), aged 30, Barbadian settler traveling aboard the ship "Union" arriving in New York in 1867 4
Mr. Thomas Donnison, (b. 1860), aged 7, Barbadian settler traveling aboard the ship "Union" arriving in New York in 1867 4
Mr. Robert Donnison, (b. 1865), aged 2, Barbadian settler traveling aboard the ship "Union" arriving in New York in 1867 4

Donnison migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Donnison Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Donnison, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 3rd November 1859 5
Mrs. Mary Donnison, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 3rd November 1859 5
Mr. Robert S Donnison, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 3rd November 1859 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Donnison (post 1700) +

Ella Louise Donnison (b. 1975), English former captain and wicket-keeper for the England women's cricket team from Nottingham
Mr. Robert Eric Donnison B.E.M., British recipient of the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to Football in Nottinghamshire 6

The Donnison 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: Adversa virtute repello
Motto Translation: I repel adversity by virtue.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Barbados archives retrieved 2nd November 2021 from https://attheBarbadosarchives.wordpress.com/2003/07/18/Barbados-heritage-passenger-lists-and-Barbados-departures/
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 31 October 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1