Gaelic, otherwise known as Early Modern Irish, was used in Ireland from around the year 1200 until the 18th century. It is from this language that we found the first references to the name Douny as Ó Dúnadhaigh. The name is essentially derived from the word dún which means fort. 1
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Early Origins of the Douny family
The surname Douny was first found in the twelfth century.
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Early History of the Douny family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Douny research. Another 189 words (14 lines of text) covering the year 1420 is included under the topic Early Douny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Douny Spelling Variations
Many spelling variations of the surname Douny can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include O'Downey, Dawney, MacDowney, MacEldowney, Muldowney and many more.
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Early Notables of the Douny family
Notable among the family name at this time was the O'Dunadhaigh sept found in Luchair, the old name of a region that lay on the borders of... Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Douny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Douny family
A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the Douny name: James Downey who went to Pennsylvania in 1711; Brian Dawney arrived in Virginia in 1722; Elizabeth Downey went to Philadelphia in 1745; William Downey settled in New York in 1777.
Ireland
Scotland
