The original Gaelic form of the Irish name Dornen was Ó Duirnin or Ó Dornian, possibly derived from the word "dorn," which means "fist." 1
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Early Origins of the Dornen family
The surname Dornen 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 Dornen family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dornen research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1596 and 1700 are included under the topic Early Dornen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Dornen Spelling Variations
Individual scribes in the Ireland during the Middle Ages would often record a person's name various ways. How the name was recorded depended on what that particular scribe believed the proper spelling for the name pronounced to him was. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Dornen family name include Durnan, Durnane, Durneen, Durnin, Durnain, Dornan, Dornain and many more.
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Early Notables of the Dornen family
More information is included under the topic Early Dornen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Dornen family
The English-ruled Ireland of the late 18th and 19th centuries featured a rapidly increasing population and an agricultural-based economy. This combination proved to be disastrous in the 1840s after a couple of failed potato harvests. Thousands died of disease and starvation, and thousands more left the country, often bound for North America. Those that survived the journey to North America were put to work building the bridges, canals, roadways, and railways needed for the development of an industrial society. Those Irish, although often despised by those already established in North American cities and towns, played an instrumental role in making Canada and the United States the powerful and wealthy nations that they are today. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has shown many immigrants bearing the name Dornen: 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
