Show ContentsDurcan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Durcan surname is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Duarcáin.

Early Origins of the Durcan family

The surname Durcan was first found in north Connacht (Irish: Connachta, (land of the) descendants of Conn), where they held a family seat as Chiefs of their race. Irish history was greatly influenced by the Norman invasion of 1172, and thereafter, the surnames of Irish Gaelic clanns and septs and many of the Norman families became almost indistinguishable. This family name was found later in Sligo where seated and represented the first recorded reference to the name by Sineall, son of Cassan. They were descended through the MacNamara line from the O'Brien Kings of Ireland.

Early History of the Durcan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Durcan research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Durcan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Durcan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Durkin, Durkan, Dorcan, McDurkin, McDorcan, McDurkan, Gurkin, McGurkin, O'Durkin, O'Durcan and many more.

Early Notables of the Durcan family

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


United States Durcan migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Durcan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Joseph Durcan, who settled in Mississippi in 1787
Durcan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Patk Durcan, who settled in North America in 1850
  • William Durcan, who arrived in Illinois in 1864
  • John Durcan, who arrived in Colorado in 1881
  • James Durcan, who settled in Ohio sometime between 1890 and 1895

Contemporary Notables of the name Durcan (post 1700) +

  • D. Mark Durcan (b. 1961), American CEO of Micron Technology
  • Paul Durcan (b. 1984), Irish Gaelic football goalkeeper who plays for Ballyboden St. Enda's and Donegal
  • Patrick Durcan (b. 1951), Irish District Court judge and a former Fine Gael politician
  • Patrick Durcan (1790-1875), Irish Parish Priest and church builder, Bishop of Achonry from 1852 to 1875
  • Paul Durcan (b. 1944), Irish contemporary poet, awarded the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award (1974), The Whitbread Prize (1990) and the Irish American Cultural Institute Poetry Award (1989)
  • Liam Durcan, Canadian neurologist at the Montreal Neurological Hospital and an Assistant Professor at McGill University


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