Show ContentsDouthitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Douthitt is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in either Dowthwaite, in Cumberland or Dowthwaite Hall in the North Riding of Yorkshire. [1] [2]

The name literally means "a piece of ground cleared of wood, from the Anglo-Saxon thweotan, to cut." [3] [4]

Early Origins of the Douthitt family

The surname Douthitt was first found in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland where John de Doventhuayt was recorded in 1332. Much later in Yorkshire, John Dowthwayt was recorded there at Whitby in 1540. [1] The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included an entry for Robertas de Dowthwayt. [5]

Early History of the Douthitt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Douthitt research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1572, 1662, 1667, 1714 and 1733 are included under the topic Early Douthitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Douthitt Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Douthitt were recorded, including Douthwaite, Douthert, Douthet, Douthat, Douthit, Douthirt, Douthwrait, Dowthwaite, Dowthert, Dowthet, Dowthirt and many more.

Early Notables of the Douthitt family

More information is included under the topic Early Douthitt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Douthitt Ranking

In the United States, the name Douthitt is the 14,925th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [6]


United States Douthitt migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Douthitt family emigrate to North America:

Douthitt Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Harry Douthitt, aged 36, who landed in America, in 1915
  • Irma Douthitt, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States, in 1915

Contemporary Notables of the name Douthitt (post 1700) +

  • Mrs. J. C. Douthitt, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Nebraska Democratic State Executive Committee, 1940
  • Carl C. Douthitt, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Cabell County, 1942


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  3. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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