Contents [hide]

Dunsmuir History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Dunsmuir History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The Dunsmuir family name was first used by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. It is a name for someone who lived on the lands of Dundemore in Fife where the family has a long and distinguished history dating back to the early Middle Ages. The name literally means "the fortified hill," and many old strongholds in Scotland are so called. 1

Early Origins of the Dunsmuir family

The surname Dunsmuir was first found in Fife, in the territories of Dundemore, near Lindores. One of the first records of the name was Henry de Dundemore who witnessed a confirmation charter by John, Earl of Huntigdoun of land in Kynalchmund to the Abbey of Arboirath c. 1219 and later witnessed another charter by the same earl granting lands of Lundors to the monks of Lindores (c.1232-1237.) 2

In 1296, the Ragman Rolls listed Patrik de Dundemor and William de Dundemor as landholders in Fife.

Further to the south in England, Dinmore is an extra-parochial liberty, in the hundred of Grimsworth in Herefordshire. Here, "on Dinmore Hill was a commandery of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, founded by a brother of the order, in the reign of Henry II." 3

Hope under Dinmore is found in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Originally recorded as Hope in the Domesday Book of 1086 4, it became in Latin, Hope sub Dinnemor in 1291. "Dinmore may be a Welsh name 'din mauer,' meaning 'great fort,' or alternatively 'marsh of a man called Dynna,' from the Old English personal name + "mor." 5

Dinmore Manor House is a large rural house that dates back to 1189 when it was thought to have been built by Knights Templar.

Early History of the Dunsmuir family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dunsmuir research. Another 248 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1305, 1317, 1330, 1406, 1585, 1643, 1650, 1661, 1662, 1670, 1686, 1688, 1723 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Dunsmuir History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunsmuir Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages did not have access to a set of spelling rules. They spelled according to sound, the result was a great number of spelling variations. In various documents, Dunsmuir has been spelled Dinsmore, Dinsmuir, Dunsmore, Dansmore, Dunmuir and many more.

Early Notables of the Dunsmuir family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dunsmuir Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dunsmuir family to Ireland

Some of the Dunsmuir family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunsmuir migration to the United States +

The cruelties suffered under the new government forced many to leave their ancient homeland for the freedom of the North American colonies. Those who arrived safely found land, freedom, and opportunity for the taking. These hardy settlers gave their strength and perseverance to the young nations that would become the United States and Canada. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name Dunsmuir:

Dunsmuir Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hugh Dunsmuir, who settled in New York in 1774
Hugh Dunsmuir, aged 40, who landed in New York in 1774 6

Dunsmuir 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:

Dunsmuir Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Dunsmuir, (b. 1842), aged 33, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Peter Denny" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 25th November 1875 7
Mrs. Jane Dunsmuir, (b. 1841), aged 34, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Peter Denny" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 25th November 1875 7
Miss Janet Dunsmuir, (b. 1864), aged 11, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Peter Denny" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 25th November 1875 7
Mr. James Dunsmuir, (b. 1867), aged 8, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Peter Denny" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 25th November 1875 7
Miss Mary Dunsmuir, (b. 1874), aged 1, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Peter Denny" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 25th November 1875 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Dunsmuir (post 1700) +

Tom Dunsmuir, American writer, known for Sesame Street (1969), The Electric Company (1971) and America 2-Night (1978)
Robert Dunsmuir (1825-1889), Scottish coal miner, railway developer, industrialist and politician, he moved to Canada and 38 years later died the richest man in British Columbia
Dola Frances Dunsmuir Cavendish (1903-1966), Canadian socialite, the youngest daughter of James Dunsmuir, thought to have been Tallulah Bankhead's long lasting companion
Alexander Dunsmuir, Canadian second son of British Columbian coal Baron Robert Dunsmuir, eponym of Dunsmuir, California
Wendy-Ann Dunsmuir, British production coordinator, known for Manchester International Festival: Everyone Welcome (2017), What Do Artists Do All Day? (2013) and Imagine (2003)
James Dunsmuir (1851-1920), Canadian industrialist and politician in British Columbia, 14th Premier of that province in 1900 and 8th Lieutenant Governor in 1906, son of Robert Dunsmuir

Historic Events for the Dunsmuir family +

RMS Lusitania

Mr. James A. Dunsmuir Jr., Canadian 1st Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 8

The Dunsmuir 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: Spes anchora tuta
Motto Translation: Hope is a safe anchor.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
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)
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/