Dorran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Dorran

What does the name Dorran mean?

Gaelic is at the heart of all the Irish surnames that can be found throughout the world today. The original Gaelic form of the name Dorran is Ó Deoradhain, which was later shortened to Ó Deorain. Both names are probably derived from the word deoradh, referring to an exile. 1

Early Origins of the Dorran family

The surname Dorran was first found in Leix (Irish: Laois) formerly known as Queen's County, located in central Ireland, in Leinster Province, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Dorran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dorran research. Another 212 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1523, 1540, 1807, 1814, 1835, 1878, 1885 and 1909 are included under the topic Early Dorran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dorran Spelling Variations

Individual scribes in the Ireland during the Middle Ages would often record a person's name various ways. How the name was recorded depended on what that particular scribe believed the proper spelling for the name pronounced to him was. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Dorran family name include Doran, Dorran, O'Doran, O'Deorain, Dorain and many more.

Early Notables of the Dorran family

Maurice Doran, Bishop of Leighlin who was murdered by his archdeacon in 1523; Charles Guilfoyle Doran (1835-1909), Irish book collector and author from County Cork; Most Rev...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dorran Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dorran migration to Australia +

Dorran Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Dorran, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Caucasian" 2

Dorran 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:

Dorran Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Peter Dorran, aged 49, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 3
Thomas Dorran, aged 19, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 3
John Dorran, aged 31, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 4
Agnes Dorran, aged 30, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 4
Margaret Dorran, aged 12, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
South Australian Register Tuesday 26 April 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Caucasian 1857. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/caucasian1857.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html