| ![Show Contents]() Duignan Surname History
Etymology of DuignanWhat does the name Duignan mean? The spelling and overall form of Irish names often vary considerably. The original Gaelic form of the name Duignan is Ó Dunain. The name is thought to have originally been derived from the word "donn," which meant "brown." 1 Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Irish Gaelic Ó Duibhgenain which roughly translates into English as follows: "dubh" as "black of dark;" "gen" as "a sword or wound;" and "an" as "one who." (O'Hart) Early Origins of the Duignan familyThe surname Duignan was first found in Roscommon, where they held a family seat at Kilronan. (O'Hart) One of the first records of the name was Saint Donnán of Eigg (died 617) and Irish Gaelic priest who attempted to introduce Christianity to the Picts of northwestern Scotland. Donnán is the patron saint of Eigg, an island in the Inner Hebrides where he was martyred. Later, Maelmuire O Dunain, was Bishop of Meath (1096-1117.) The next listing was of Adam O'Dounan in a County Roscommon land case in 1299. 1 Shortly after, Ferrall Muinach O'Duignan began the Church of Kilronan in 1339. This church, over looking Lake Meelagh, was of great national interest in that it is reportedly the burial place of Carolan. John Ballach O'Dugenan was chief of his Clan when they were dispossessed of their estates in Kilronan. They later were landed gentry in the parish of Dromleas, in the barony of Drumaheare, county of Leitrim, estates which they held until the Cromwellian confiscations in the 17th century. They were noted for their great contributions to history and literature. Manus O'Duigenan contributed to the Book of Ballymote, sometimes called the Book of Kilronan, or the Book of the O'Duigenans, which became one of the chronicles of the Four Masters. (O'Hart) Early History of the Duignan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Duignan research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1788 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Duignan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Duignan Spelling VariationsIn the Middle Ages many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Duignan family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Duignan, O'Duignan, Doonan, O'Doonan, Dignan, O'Dignan, Dignam, O'Donnan, Donnan, O'Dignam, Duigenan, O'Duigenan, Donan and many more. Early Notables of the Duignan familyMore information is included under the topic Early Duignan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Duignan migration to the United States | + |
Ireland saw an enormous decrease in its population in the 19th century due to immigration and death. This pattern of immigration began slowly in the late 18th century and gradually grew throughout the early portion of the 19th century. However, a dramatic increase in the country's immigration numbers occurred when the Great Potato Famine struck in the 1840s. The early immigrants to North America were primarily destined to be farmers tending to their own plot of land, those that came later initially settled within pre-established urban centers. These urban immigrants provided the cheap labor that the fast developing United States and soon to be Canada required. Regardless of their new lifestyle in North America, the Irish immigrants to the United States and Canada made invaluable contributions to their newly adopted societies. An investigation of immigrant and passenger lists revealed many Duignans:
Duignan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- John Duignan, aged 39, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Rio Negro" from Trinidad & Brazil 2
- Geo. Duignan, who arrived in New York in 1919 from Dunkirk, France 2
- Frank P. Duignan, aged 35, originally from Dublin, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 2
- Bridget Duignan, aged 43, originally from Dublin, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 2
- Edward Duignan, aged 24, originally from Belturbert, Ireland, who arrived in New York City in 1920 aboard the ship "Kaiserin Augusta Victoria" from Liverpool, England 2
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Duignan migration to Canada | + |
Duignan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Miss. Ann Duignan, aged 7 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Dykes" departing 23rd April 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but she died on board 3
| Contemporary Notables of the name Duignan (post 1700) | + |
- Seán Duignan (b. 1936), Irish journalist, newsreader, political aide and writer, known for his near forty-year career with RTÉ News
- Michael Duignan (b. 1968), retired Irish hurling manager and former dual player
- Patrick "Packie" Duignan (1922-1992), Irish flute player
- Mary Anne Duignan (1870-1929), better known as Chicago May, the "Queen of crooks," the Irish-born criminal who became notorious in America, Britain and France
- Peadar Duignan (1898-1955), Irish Fianna Fáil politician, elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency in 1951
- Noel Duignan (b. 1948), Canadian former politician, New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995
- William Henry Duignan (1824-1914), English solicitor, antiquarian, writer, historian and local politician, known for his etymology of place naming works
- Patrick Duignan (b. 1972), Canadian former rugby footballer who was raised in Australia and has twice played internationally for Ireland
- Katherine "Kate" Duignan (b. 1974), New Zealand novelist
- MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
- Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
- Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 74)
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