Doueson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Doueson is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from the personal names Douce and Dow. This patronymic name is augmented by the suffix -son, which superseded the other patronymic suffixes in prominence by the 14th century, and was most common in the north of England.

Early Origins of the Doueson family

The surname Doueson was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 which included: Jordan Dousing, Lincolnshire; and Richard Dusing, Norfolk. Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Dousyng as holding lands there at that time. 1

Early History of the Doueson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Doueson research. Another 176 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1320, 1327, 1349, 1379, 1573, 1596, 1643 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Doueson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doueson Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Doueson has been spelled many different ways, including Dowson, Douson, Doweson, Dowsoun, Douseson, Douceson and many more.

Early Notables of the Doueson family

Notables of this surname at this time include: William Dowsing (1596-1668) was an English iconoclast under orders in 1643 which stated that "all Monuments of Superstition and Idolatry should be removed and abolished", specifying: "fixed altars, altar rails, chancel...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Doueson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Doueson family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Douesons to arrive in North America: Gilbert Dowson who settled in Virginia in 1637; George Dowson settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1774; Martha Down settled in America in 1763; R.H. Dowson settled in Maryland in 1820.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)