Done History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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England

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Early Origins of the Done family

The surname Done was first found in Cheshire at Duddon, a township, in the parish of Tarvin, union of Great Boughton, Second division of the hundred of Eddisbury.

"The manor was for many generations in moieties between the families of Bruen and Done; the first passed, with Bruen-Stapleford, to Mr. Wilbraham, and the other with the Utkinton estate to Mr. Arden. Duddon Hall, which continued to be the seat of a younger branch of the Dones long after the extinction of the elder branch, is now a farmhouse." 1

However, one of the first records of the family was John de Donne, rector of the church of St. Elphin, Warrington, Lancashire from 1361 to 1362. 2

John Donne (1572-1631), the famous English poet and cleric was born in London into a recusant Roman Catholic family when practice of that religion was illegal in England. His father was of Welsh descent and a warden of the Ironmongers Company in the City of London. Young John studied at the University of Cambridge, but was unable to obtain a degree because of his Catholicism. Despite these challenges, he rose to become one of the most important poets of his era and had to write anti-Catholic polemics to do so. Eventually he was awarded an honorary doctorate in divinity from Cambridge University.

Early History of the Done family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Done research. Another 242 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1420, 1503, 1527, 1552, 1558, 1572, 1604, 1614, 1617, 1621, 1631, 1662 and 1821 are included under the topic Early Done History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Done Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Done include Done, Donn, Donne, Doan, Doane, Doune and others.

Early Notables of the Done family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir John Donne (c.1420-1503), a Welsh courtier, diplomat and soldier, a notable figure of the Yorkist party; and Sir Charles Doune of Doune. Gabriel Donne or Dunne (d. 1558), was a Cistercian monk who belonged to the family of that name seated at Ralph Donue in Devonshire. 3 John Donne the Elder (1572-1631), was an English poet, satirist, lawyer and a cleric in the Church of England. Born in London...
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Done Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Done migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Done were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Done Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Done, who landed in Virginia in 1618 4
Gregorie Done, who landed in Virginia in 1620 4
Mr. John Done, (b. 1619), aged 16, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Truelove" arriving in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 5
John Done, aged 17, who arrived in New England in 1635 4
Ellinor Done, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 4

Done Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Robert and Thomas Done, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1813
Ira Done, who settled in New England in 1850

Done migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Done Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. John Donherds U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 6

Done migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Done Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Done, (b. 1800), aged 44, English gardener who was convicted in Knutsford (Nether Knutsford), Chester, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 9th May 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Done (post 1700) +

Robert Done (1904-1982), English footballer who played from 1922 to 1939
Cyril Charles Done (1920-1993), English footballer and manager; he played from 1938 to 1962 and managed Skelmersdale United (1959-1962)
Matthew "Matt" Done (b. 1988), English footballer
Kenneth Stephen "Ken" Done AM (b. 1940), Australian artist from Sydney, New South Wales
Jason Done (b. 1973), British actor from Salford, England, best known for his role as Mordred in the 1998 TV miniseries Merlin

The Done 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: Omnia mei dona Dei
Motto Translation: All my goods are the gift of God.