Dunphee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Dunphee

What does the name Dunphee mean?

There are a multitude of ancient meanings and variations associated with the Irish surnames that are now common throughout the modern world. The original Gaelic form of the name Dunphee is Ó Donnchaidh, which means descendant of Donnchadh, a personal name Anglicized as Donogh.

Early Origins of the Dunphee family

The surname Dunphee was first found in County Kerry (Irish:Ciarraí) part of the former County Desmond (14th-17th centuries), located in Southwestern Ireland, in Munster province, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Dunphee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dunphee research. Another 188 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1014 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Dunphee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunphee Spelling Variations

One name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer during the Middle Ages. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Dunphee family name include Dunphy, Dunfy, O'Dunphy, O'Donoghue and others.

Early Notables of the Dunphee family

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

Migration of the Dunphee family

North America accepted thousands of Irish immigrants during the 19th century as their homeland suffered under foreign imperialistic rule. Although settlers from the early portion of the century came to North America by choice in search of land, by far the largest influx of Irish immigrants came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Many of these Irish families left the country destitute and in some cases suffering from disease. However, those who survived the long ocean voyage were especially vital to the development of industry in the United States and what would become known as Canada. Research of immigration and passenger lists has shown many early immigrants bearing the name Dunphee: Edward Dunphy in 1772; joined several previous family members who had already settled in Pennsylvania. Other Dunphys were to later join him in Pennsylvania..

The Dunphee 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: Generosa virtus nihil timet
Motto Translation: Generous valour fears nothing