Show ContentsDoust History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the distinguished English surname Doust begins before the fateful Norman Conquest of 1066. The name is Anglo-Saxon in origin, and is derived from the Old English "dust," meaning "dust." This name was probably first bestowed as a nickname, either on someone with pale skin or hair, someone considered to be of little worth, or a laborer.

Early Origins of the Doust family

The surname Doust was first found in the county of Oxford, where Ulf Dust was recorded as early as 1030. The nickname origins of Doust make it likely that the surname emerged independently in different English counties, thus creating several different branches of the Doust family during the Middle Ages.

Early History of the Doust family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Doust research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1030, 1203, 1316 and 1332 are included under the topic Early Doust History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doust Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Dust, Doust and others.

Early Notables of the Doust family

More information is included under the topic Early Doust Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Doust family to Ireland

Some of the Doust family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Doust migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Doust Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Katharine Doust, who settled in Illinois in 1850
  • Arthur Doust, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1892
  • Arthur W. Doust, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1898
Doust Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Walter Norman Doust, who settled in Kansas in 1920

New Zealand Doust 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:

Doust Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth W. Doust, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blue Jacket" in 1865

Contemporary Notables of the name Doust (post 1700) +

  • Heber Doust Cutris (1872-1942), American astronomer


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