| ![Show Contents]() Dignam Surname History
Etymology of DignamWhat does the name Dignam mean? The spelling and overall form of Irish names often vary considerably. The original Gaelic form of the name Dignam is Ó Dunain. The name is thought to have originally been derived from the word "donn," which meant "brown." 1 Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Irish Gaelic Ó Duibhgenain which roughly translates into English as follows: "dubh" as "black of dark;" "gen" as "a sword or wound;" and "an" as "one who." (O'Hart) Early Origins of the Dignam familyThe surname Dignam was first found in Roscommon, where they held a family seat at Kilronan. (O'Hart) One of the first records of the name was Saint Donnán of Eigg (died 617) and Irish Gaelic priest who attempted to introduce Christianity to the Picts of northwestern Scotland. Donnán is the patron saint of Eigg, an island in the Inner Hebrides where he was martyred. Later, Maelmuire O Dunain, was Bishop of Meath (1096-1117.) The next listing was of Adam O'Dounan in a County Roscommon land case in 1299. 1 Shortly after, Ferrall Muinach O'Duignan began the Church of Kilronan in 1339. This church, over looking Lake Meelagh, was of great national interest in that it is reportedly the burial place of Carolan. John Ballach O'Dugenan was chief of his Clan when they were dispossessed of their estates in Kilronan. They later were landed gentry in the parish of Dromleas, in the barony of Drumaheare, county of Leitrim, estates which they held until the Cromwellian confiscations in the 17th century. They were noted for their great contributions to history and literature. Manus O'Duigenan contributed to the Book of Ballymote, sometimes called the Book of Kilronan, or the Book of the O'Duigenans, which became one of the chronicles of the Four Masters. (O'Hart) Early History of the Dignam familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dignam research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1788 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Dignam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Dignam Spelling VariationsBecause early scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded, a person could have many various spellings of his name.Many different spelling variations of the surname Dignam were found in the archives researched. These included Duignan, O'Duignan, Doonan, O'Doonan, Dignan, O'Dignan, Dignam, O'Donnan, Donnan, O'Dignam, Duigenan, O'Duigenan, Donan and many more. Early Notables of the Dignam familyMore information is included under the topic Early Dignam Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Dignam migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Second Fleet - Mr. John Dignam, (d. 1809), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 2
| Contemporary Notables of the name Dignam (post 1700) | + |
- Christopher "Christy" Dignam (1960-2023), Irish singer, best known as the lead singer of the popular Irish rock band Aslan
- Barry Dignam (b. 1971), Irish filmmaker
- Christy Dignam (b. 1960), Irish lead singer of the popular Irish rock band Aslan
- Arthur Dignam (1939-2020), Australian actor, born on Lord Howe Island
- Mary Ella Dignam (1857-1938), born Mary Ella William, a Canadian painter and pioneer activist for women artists
- Mark Dignam (1909-1989), prolific English actor
- Basil Dignam (1905-1979), English character actor from Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, active from 1951 to 1975, brother of Mark Dignam
- MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
- Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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