Dorrans History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Dorrans

What does the name Dorrans 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 Dorrans 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 Dorrans family

The surname Dorrans 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 Dorrans family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dorrans 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 Dorrans History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dorrans 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 Dorrans family name include Doran, Dorran, O'Doran, O'Deorain, Dorain and many more.

Early Notables of the Dorrans 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 Dorrans Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dorrans migration to the United States +

The English-ruled Ireland of the late 18th and 19th centuries featured a rapidly increasing population and an agricultural-based economy. This combination proved to be disastrous in the 1840s after a couple of failed potato harvests. Thousands died of disease and starvation, and thousands more left the country, often bound for North America. Those that survived the journey to North America were put to work building the bridges, canals, roadways, and railways needed for the development of an industrial society. Those Irish, although often despised by those already established in North American cities and towns, played an instrumental role in making Canada and the United States the powerful and wealthy nations that they are today. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has shown many immigrants bearing the name Dorrans:

Dorrans Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

James Dorrans, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, in 1905
John Dorrans, aged 22, who landed in America from Kilmarnock, Scotland, in 1923

Dorrans migration to Australia +

Dorrans Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Alexander Dorrans, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Lady Ann"

Contemporary Notables of the name Dorrans (post 1700) +

Graham Dorrans (b. 1987), Scottish footballer

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)