Downkint History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name Downkint is 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 Downkint family

The surname Downkint 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 Downkint family

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

Downkint Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Downkint has appeared as Donkin, Downkin, Donking, Donken, Downken and others.

Early Notables of the Downkint family

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

Migration of the Downkint family

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Downkint were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: Patrick Donkin arrived in Pennsylvania in 1820.

The Downkint 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.