Dossey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The name Dossey, which is a local surname, reveals that the original bearer of the name once lived, held land, or was born in Schleswig-Holstein, which is the northernmost state in western Germany. This is the homeland of the proud surname Dossey. By and large, hereditary surname were formed in Germany when areas of Schleswig, and most of the German states, were a part of the Holy Roman Empire. At this time, as the population of Europe swelled and travel became easier, people began to encounter others sharing their own name and they avoided confusion by adopting a second name. A common form of surname found in Schleswig are those that are derived from nicknames. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The surname Dossey was a name for a loud or boisterous person. The distinguished name Dossey is derived from the Old Germanic word dossen, which means to speak loudly or to make noise.

Early Origins of the Dossey family

The surname Dossey was first found in East Friesland, out of which the name quickly spread across the northern coastlands of Germany, in particular to Holstein and Mecklenburg. The name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. The variations Dose and Dohse were found particularly frequently in Nordelbingen, as well as throughout Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. In the Middle Ages, Dose became quite popular as a first name among knights. Chronicles mention, for instance, the knight Dose Block of Holstein in 1371. Chronicles also mention the figure Doso von Helle, who owned the village Dosenbeck near Preetz in Holstein. Its use as a last name may have stemmed from the area in East Friesland where the Dose river flows into the Ems.

Early History of the Dossey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dossey research. Another 186 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1291, 1337, 1476, 1740, 1762 and 1764 are included under the topic Early Dossey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dossey Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Dose (Hamburg), Dohse, Doose, Dase, Doss, Dosse, Dos, Doz, Dozze and many more.

Early Notables of the Dossey family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dossey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dossey family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Daniel Doss, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1754. Bernhart Doss came to Philadelphia in 1764; while Johann Martin Doser and Michael Doser both arrived in Philadelphia in 1752. Lucas Doser came to Philadelphia in 1860.

Contemporary Notables of the name Dossey (post 1700) +

Ibrahim Dossey (1972-2008), Ghanaian footballer