Dunn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 
  Scotland-Alt 
  Scotland 


Hundreds of years ago, the Gaelic name used by the Dunn family in Ireland was Ó Duinn or Ó Doinn. Both Gaelic names are derived from the Gaelic word donn, which means brown. Ó Doinn is the genitive case of donn. 1

Early Origins of the Dunn family

The surname Dunn was first found in County Meath (Irish: An Mhí) anciently part of the kingdom of Brega, located in Eastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster. The family was descended from O'Rigain one of the ancient "Four Tribes of Tara" in the Kingdom of Meath, now the county of Meath. The Kings of Meath in turn traced their regal history back to the Heremon Kings.

Early History of the Dunn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dunn research. Another 291 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1268, 1642, 1651, 1691, 1692, 1695, 1700, 1713, 1733 and 1758 are included under the topic Early Dunn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunn Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Dunn include Dunn, Dunne, Dun, O'Dunne, O'Doyne, Doine, Doin, O'Dunn and many more.

Early Notables of the Dunn family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dunn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunn World Ranking

In the United States, the name Dunn is the 160th most popular surname with an estimated 144,246 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Dunn is ranked the 280th most popular surname with an estimated 15,317 people with that name. 3 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Dunn is the 906th popular surname. 4 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Dunn as 535th with 86 people. 5 Australia ranks Dunn as 109th with 24,544 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Dunn as 120th with 3,699 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Dunn as 150th with 34,722 people. 8


Dunn migration to the United States +

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Dunn:

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

Dunn migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Dunn Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Dunn Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Dunn Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Dunn migration to Australia +

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

Dunn Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Dunn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Dunn 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:

Dunn Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Dunn migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18
Dunn Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Dunn (post 1700) +


The Dunn 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: Mullach a-bu
Motto Translation: Victory for the Dunns.


Suggested Readings for the name Dunn +
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