| ![Show Contents]() Doorn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancient roots of the Doorn family are found in the German state of Bavaria. Doorn was a local name, for someone who lived near a thorn-bush or hedge. The surname Doorn is derived from the German word dorn, which means thorn. Thus, the name was adopted by a person who lived near thorn bushes. The name Doorn also was used by people from Dornach, which is a town located near Munich in Bavaria. There is also a town named Dörnach in Tübingen, Westphalia and a city named Thorn (which is now Torun) in Poland. In Bavaria, the Doorn family lived on a feudal estate. Land proprietorship and management were the sole source of wealth and power in the Middle Ages and the Doorn family, as noble landowners, became prestigious members of the landed aristocracy. Early Origins of the Doorn familyThe surname Doorn was first found in Bavaria, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. Early History of the Doorn familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Doorn research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1530, 1584, 1738, 1804, 1809, 1824, 1825 and 1884 are included under the topic Early Doorn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Doorn Spelling VariationsMany cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Doorn include Dorn, Dorner, Doorn, Doern, Dorne, Dorns and others. Early Notables of the Doorn familyProminent among members of the name Doorn in this period include Gerhard Dorn (c. 1530-1584), a Belgian philosopher, translator, alchemist, physician and bibliophile; and Isaac August Dorner (1809-1884), an important Lutheran theologian.Heinrich Ludwig Edmund Dorn was a very considerable musician of modern Germany, born at Königsberg, Prussia, Nov. 14, 1804. His turn for music showed itself early, and was duly encouraged and assisted, but not so as to interfere with his general education. He went through...
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Doorn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Doorn RankingIn Netherlands, the name Doorn is the 788th most popular surname with an estimated 2,451 people with that name. 1
 Doorn migration to the United States | + |
German settlers were among the most common to come to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. Poverty and religious persecution drove many Bavarians to make this long trek. tenant farmers were also enticed by the prospect of owning land. From east to west, these German immigrants populated the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada also provided homes to many. Early settlers bearing the Doorn surname or a spelling variation of the name include:
Doorn Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Georg Michael Doorn, who arrived in Maryland in 1763
Doorn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Leendert Doorn, who arrived in America in 1868
- John Doorn, who settled in Nebraska in 1891
| Contemporary Notables of the name Doorn (post 1700) | + |
- Bill van Doorn, American politician, Mayor of Fremont, California, 1971-72 2
|
Doorn migration to the United States 
Netherlands
Germany
