The original Gaelic form of the Irish name Dornain was Ó Duirnin or Ó Dornian, possibly derived from the word "dorn," which means "fist." 1
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Early Origins of the Dornain family
The surname Dornain was first found in County Antrim (Irish: Aontroim) located in the province of Ulster in present day Northern Ireland. The name is also specific to "Ballydurnian in County Antrim, but Durnian is the more usual form in west Ulster." 2
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Early History of the Dornain family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dornain research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1596 and 1700 are included under the topic Early Dornain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Dornain Spelling Variations
The recording of names in Ireland in the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. The many regional dialects and the predominate illiteracy would have made common surnames appear unrelated to the scribes of the period. Research into the name Dornain revealed spelling variations, including Durnan, Durnane, Durneen, Durnin, Durnain, Dornan, Dornain and many more.
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Early Notables of the Dornain family
More information is included under the topic Early Dornain Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Dornain family
Irish families began to immigrate to British North America and the United States in the 18th century, but the greatest influx of Irish immigrants came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. The earlier settlers came to North America after a great deal of consideration and by paying relatively high fees for their passage. These settlers were primarily drawn by the promise of land. Those later settlers that came during the 1840's were trying to escape the conditions of poverty, starvation, disease, and death that had stricken Ireland. Due to the enormity of their numbers and the late date of their arrival, these immigrants primarily became hired laborers instead of homesteading settlers like their predecessors. An exhaustive search of immigration and passenger lists has revealed many Irish immigrants North America bearing the name Dornain: Nicholas Durnan who settled in Virginia in 1734; Charles Durnin settled in Newcastle in Co. Delaware in 1827; John Durnin arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1868.
Ireland
