Show ContentsDurran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The region of Dauphine, in the French Alps, was the ancestral homeland of the prestigious surname Durran. The surname Durran is a nickname surname, which belongs to the category of surnames known as hereditary surnames. This particular surname was originally derived from the Old French word durant, which means enduring. It was a nickname commonly used for a stubborn, unbending person. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.

Early Origins of the Durran family

The surname Durran was first found in Dauphiny (French: Dauphiné or Dauphiné Viennois), a former province in southeastern France, where the family dates back to as early as 1095 when a member of the De Durand family took part in a Crusade. Ponce De Durant and Humbert, his brother, are mentioned in two charters dating 1188 and 1205.

Many members of this ancient family took part in the wars of their times, protecting the King and their country, for which they were rewarded with lands and titles. The son of Ponce, Pierre I De Durant (1175-1256) was a Lord who controlled much land in Chabeuil. In 1380, Noble Simon is mentioned in the ancient archives as a taxpayer and landowner. A prominent member of the family, Reymond De Durand served with distinction in the armies of Louis XI and of Charles VIII and in consideration of his loyal services, the latter King granted him the title of Guard of the castle of Perpignan in 1485, at which time the castle was of great importance for the State.

Charles Durand, Gentleman of the Chamber, married Anne de Bonne de Sénégas in 1566 and their grand-son, Charles, was the Baron of Sénégas and the ancestor of the Marquis of Sénégas. The majority of the members of the Durand family held lands and titles.

Nicolas Durand, born in 1637, son of Pierre and Nicole (née Prevost), travelled from France to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Françoise Gausse, daughter of Maurice and Marguerite (née Blay), on 12th September 1661. They remained together in Beauport, Quebec until Françoise passed away on 9th March 1714. 1

Early History of the Durran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Durran research. Another 24 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1589, 1600, 1680, 1721, 1763, 1789, 1814 and 1815 are included under the topic Early Durran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Durran Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Durand, Durant, Durrand, Durrant, Durant, Durrant, Durend, Durrend, Durent, Durrent, Duran, Durran, Duranc, Durranc, De Durand, De Durant, Duranti, De Durand, De Durant, Durante, Durrante, Durande and many more.

Early Notables of the Durran family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Jean-Etienne Duranti who received his Doctorate of Law, became the Attorney General, and the President of the Parliament of Toulouse, but was murdered by members of a league on February 16, 1589. His bust is at the Salle des Illustres and a street in Toulouse carries his name. Guillaume De Durant was the Lord of Montgeard and of Caneville and received his Doctorate of Law in the mid 1500's. Participating in the political affairs of the times, Paul De Durand, Lord of Roquefoulet and of Montgeard, was the President of the Parliament during...
Another 214 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Durran Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Durran 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:

Durran Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Durran, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Palmyra" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 19th February 1858 2
  • Mrs. Durran, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Palmyra" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 19th February 1858 2


The Durran 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: Fert patriae facilem annonam
Motto Translation: Brings the country an easy market


  1. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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