| ![Show Contents]() Donoldson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland Etymology of DonoldsonWhat does the name Donoldson mean? In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the Donoldson family were born. Their name comes from a powerful ruler. The name Donald is derived from the Gaelic name Domhnull, or MacDhomhnuill, and the Celtic name Dubnovalos, all of which mean "world ruler" or "world-mighty". The name ranks second only to John in its popularity as a personal name in Scotland. Early Origins of the Donoldson familyThe surname Donoldson was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway), where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. Early History of the Donoldson familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Donoldson research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1575, 1620, 1703, 1713, 1780 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Donoldson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Donoldson Spelling VariationsIn various documents Donoldson has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. Donald, Donaldson, Doneld, Donnald, Donnaldson and others. Early Notables of the Donoldson familyNotable amongst the Clan from early times was Adam Donald (1703-1780), called 'the prophet of Bethelnie,' born at the hamlet of that name, twenty miles north of Aberdeen, in 1703. " Notwithstanding his extraordinary stature and build, which caused the country folk to regard him as a changeling 'supernatural in mind as well as in body,' he was unable from some infirmity to labour with his hands, while his parents, struggling peasants, could ill afford to maintain him. Donald had therefore to solve the perplexity of how to live. 'Observing,' says his biographer, 'with what a superstitious veneration the ignorant people...
Another 134 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Donoldson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Donoldson family to IrelandSome of the Donoldson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 90 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Donoldson migration to the United States | + |
The descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name Donoldson or a variant listed above include:
Donoldson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Mr. Henrie Donoldson, aged 25, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Plain Joan" 1
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: Per mare, per terras
Motto Translation: By sea, by land.
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