Doughty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


The name Doughty is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a person who was considered brave and strong. The surname Doughty originally derived from the Old English word doughty or dohti which meant valiant, hardy, manly. 1

Most sources agree that this is the generally accepted origin of the name. However, one source claims the name to be Norman in origin as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae notes William de Oughtia, Normandy 1180, 1198. 2

Early Origins of the Doughty family

The surname Doughty was first found in Yorkshire where early spellings of the name varied greatly.

By example, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Johanna Doughti; Johannes Doughty, taylour; and Adam Doughty. In the East Riding of Yorkshire, the Poll Tax Rolls for Howdenshire included Robertus Dughty and Johannes Dughti. 3

While most of the records of the name come from Yorkshire, we must look to Bedfordshire for the first record. For it is here that William Douti held lands as listed in the Assize Rolls in 1247. Later, William Doughty was listed in Leicestershire in 1300 and John Dughti was listed as a Freeman of York in 1314. 4

Early History of the Doughty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Doughty research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1365, 1533, 1545, 1577, 1578, 1598, 1599, 1613, 1620, 1655, 1672 and 1792 are included under the topic Early Doughty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doughty Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Doughty have been found, including Doughty, Doughtie, Dowtie, Dowty and others.

Early Notables of the Doughty family

Notables of the family at this time include

Doughty Ranking

In the United States, the name Doughty is the 2,974th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 6


Doughty migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Doughty, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were:

Doughty Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Doughty Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Doughty Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Doughty migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Doughty Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Doughty Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Doughty migration to Australia +

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

Doughty Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Doughty 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:

Doughty Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Doughty (post 1700) +
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