Show ContentsDunan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Dunan comes from when the family resided in the region of Dunning in the lower part of Strathearn. Today Dunning is the process of communicating with customers to ensure the collection of accounts receivable derived from the 17th century verb "dun," meaning to demand payment of a debt.

Early Origins of the Dunan family

The surname Dunan was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Dunan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dunan research. Another 243 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1199, 1200, 1234, 1437, 1440, 1514 and 1782 are included under the topic Early Dunan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunan Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Dunan has been recorded under many different variations, including Dunning, Dunnings, Douning, Downing, Dunnin and many more.

Early Notables of the Dunan family

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

Ireland Migration of the Dunan family to Ireland

Some of the Dunan 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 Dunan migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Dunan or a variant listed above:

Dunan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Francisco Dunan, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1813 1


The Dunan 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: Studiis et rebus honestis
Motto Translation: By study and honourable pursuits.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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