Show ContentsDuggar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Duggar

What does the name Duggar mean?

The people known in ancient Scotland as the Picts were the ancestors of the first to use Duggar as a name. It was a name for a well-meaning person or "do-gooder." 1

Further down in England, the name was "derived from the name of an ancestor, 'the son of Doget'" 2 and has been traditionally "an old London name." 3

Early Origins of the Duggar family

The surname Duggar was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland.

One of the first records of the family was "Robert Doget, messenger, carried letters of Edward I to various persons, 1304, and Master Adam Doghete was witness in St. Andrews, 1305. John Doget, chaplain, 1343. John Dogude, who was bailie of Perth in 1379, as John Dugude departs for Pruycia (Prussia) in the king's service in 1382. The name is found in Dundee in 1470." 4

In England, early rolls there showed Alicia Doget, Cambridgeshire; John Doget, Oxfordshire; and John Doget, London, all in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. Hugo Doged and Johannes Doget were listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 2

In Somerset, early records there revealed John Doget and William Doget, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 5

Early History of the Duggar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Duggar research. Another 319 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1365, 1382, 1478, 1479, 1536, 1541, 1544, 1546, 1557, 1597, 1603, 1607, 1613, 1633, 1651, 1657, 1664, 1669, 1675, 1678, 1680 and 1878 are included under the topic Early Duggar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Duggar Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Duggar has been spelled Duguid, Doogood, Doghet, Duget, Dugat, Dogood, Dugood, Doguid, Dugett, Dugatt, Duggood, Dugguid, Dogget, Doggatt, Doggett and many more.

Early Notables of the Duggar family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was John Dugude, King's Courier. Henry Doogood was an English architect who was best known for designing the chapel of Pembroke College, Cambridge in which the "striking...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Duggar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Duggar migration to the United States +

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Duggar:

Duggar Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Alice Duggar, aged 27, who arrived in New York City, New York in 1911 aboard the ship "Ryndam" from Boulogne 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Duggar (post 1700) +

  • James Robert Duggar (b. 1965), American politician and television personality who appeared on the reality series 19 Kids and Counting (2008-2015), Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives (1999-2003)
  • Jana Marie Duggar (b. 1990), American television personality, best known for her appearances on TLC as part of the reality television shows 19 Kids and Counting (2008-2015) and Counting On (2015-2021)
  • Benjamin Minge Duggar (1872-1956), American plant physiologist


The Duggar Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Patientia et spe
Motto Translation: With patience and hope.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


Houseofnames.com on Facebook