Dunwald History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Dunwald

What does the name Dunwald mean?

The forefathers of the Dunwald family were Viking settlers who came to Scotland in the Middle Ages. Many places were named by these Norsemen, and the Dunwald surname was taken on from one of these place names, when someone lived at Royal Burgh of Dingwall, in Ross-shire, Scotland. The place-name is derived from the Old English word dingle, which meant valley or hollow. This is a habitation surname, derived from an already existing place-name.

Early Origins of the Dunwald family

The surname Dunwald was first found in Ross-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rois) a former county, now part of the Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles in Northern Scotland, which emerged from the Gaelic lordship of the Earl of Ross, where John Yonger of Dyngvale witnessed a charter by William, Earl of Ross in 1342. Another charter by the same earl was witnessed by John called Yong and Thomas, his brother (c. 1350-72.) A few years later, William of Dyngwale was listed as dean of Aberdeen and Ross in 1389. Thomas of Dyngvale was listed as a canon in 1451. 1

Early History of the Dunwald family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dunwald research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1452 and 1538 are included under the topic Early Dunwald History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunwald Spelling Variations

Sound and intuition were the main things that scribes in the Middle Ages relied on when spelling and translating names. Since those factors varied, so did the spelling of the names. Spelling variations of the name Dunwald include Dingwall, Dingwalls, Dingall, Dingell, Dingle, Dingill, Dingal, Dingel and many more.

Early Notables of the Dunwald family

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

Migration of the Dunwald family

In North America, the monarchy was thousands of miles away and Scots were free to settle on their own land and practice their own beliefs. The American War of Independence provided an opportunity for these settlers to pay back the English monarchy and forge a new nation. Recently, this heritage has survived through North American highland games and Clan societies. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Dunwald or a variant listed above: Donald Dingwall who was banished to Barbados in the year 1745. He was later transferred to the mainland.

The Dunwald 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: Deo favente
Motto Translation: By the favour of God.

Sources +

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)