Duncan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


The ancestors of the first family to use the name Duncan lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name Duncan comes from the Gaelic Donnchad, Duncha, Donnachadh and others which literally means brown warrior.

"On an ogham stone at Glan Usk near Crickhowel in Wales the name occurs spelled Dunocatus, which points to 'fort warrior,' from dun, 'fort,' as the meaning of the name. The exact meaning is therefore uncertain." 1

Early Origins of the Duncan family

The surname Duncan was first found in Forfarshire part of the Tayside region of North Eastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, where the Clan has a long and distinguished history dating back to before 1000 AD.

They claim descent from Dunchad, the 11th Abbott of Iona who died in 717. He was also the progenitor of the Robertsons. On their maternal side, they are related to King Duncan of Scotland who was killed by MacBeth. 1

"Willelmus filius Dunecan witnessed the gift of Swintun to HernuIf the knight c. 1135. Dunecanus comes witnessed confirmation charter by William the Lion to Jacobus de Pert of lands of Rosin clerac, n.d. Willelmus filius Duuecani, c. 1200. Dunecan, parson of Duuglas, appears as charter witness between 1240-1249. John Dunkan held a 'waste' in Berwick-on-Tweed in 1367, and probably John Duncanson or Dunkanson, mayor of Berwick in the same year was his son." 1

The Robertsons or Clan Donnachaidh derive their name and ancestry from Fat Duncan (Donnchadh Reamhar) who was chief of the Clan at the time of Robert the Bruce and led the clan at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

Early History of the Duncan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Duncan research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1451, 1600, 1618, 1640, 1649, 1659, 1660, 1703, 1731, 1735, 1745, 1800, 1804 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Duncan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Duncan Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Duncan has been spelled Duncan, Dunecan, Dunkan, Junkan, Junkin, Duncans, Dunkans, Dunckane, Dunkane, Dunekan, Duncin, Duncen, Duncine, Junken and many more.

Early Notables of the Duncan family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

Duncan World Ranking

In the United States, the name Duncan is the 177th most popular surname with an estimated 136,785 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Duncan is ranked the 295th most popular surname with an estimated 14,888 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name Duncan is the 132nd popular surname with an estimated 20,481 people with that name. 4 New Zealand ranks Duncan as 77th with 4,624 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Duncan as 205th with 27,593 people. 6

Migration of the Duncan family to Ireland

Some of the Duncan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Duncan migration to the United States +

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Duncan:

Duncan Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Duncan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Duncan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Duncan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Duncan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Duncan migration to Australia +

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

Duncan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Duncan 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:

Duncan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Duncan (post 1700) +


The Duncan 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: Disce pati
Motto Translation: Learn to suffer.


Suggested Readings for the name Duncan +
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