Downkane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

On the Scottish west coast, the Downkane family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the Gaelic personal name "Donnchad," which means "brown warrior". The personal name Donnchad is composed of two elements; "donn," which means "brown" and "cath," which means "warrior".

Early Origins of the Downkane family

The surname Downkane was first found in Northumberland, where they held great estates but were a branch of the distinguished Scottish Clan of Duncan who were originally of Iona in the Hebrides, but changed their name and continued to use the basic Coat of Arms of the Duncan Clan.

Early History of the Downkane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Downkane research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Downkane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Downkane Spelling Variations

In various documents Downkane has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. Donkin, Downkin, Donking, Donken, Downken and others.

Early Notables of the Downkane family

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

Migration of the Downkane family

Significant portions of the populations of both the United States and Canada are still made up of the ancestors of Dalriadan families. Some of those in Canada originally settled the United States, but went north as United Empire Loyalists in the American War of Independence. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the ancestors of many Scots on both sides of the border begin to recover their collective national heritage through Clan societies and highland games. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Patrick Donkin arrived in Pennsylvania in 1820.

The Downkane Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Disce pati
Motto Translation: Learn to suffer.