Duran History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe distinguished surname Duran can be traced back to the ancient and beautiful region of Venice. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames was not complete until the modern era, but the use of hereditary family names in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries. Italian hereditary surnames were developed according to fairly general principles and they were characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. The most common type of family name found in the region of Venice is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name. During the Middle Ages, Italians adopted the patronymic system of name-making because it perfectly complemented the prevailing Feudal System. In Italy the popularity of patronymic type of surname is also due to the fact that during the Christian era, people often named their children after saints and biblical figures. The surname Duran came from the Latin word durants which means to endure, to persevere or to persist. Early Origins of the Duran familyThe surname Duran was first found in Mondovì, dating back to the 13th century with Giovanni and Giacomo Durando, were listed as military Generals of the time. Early History of the Duran familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Duran research. The years 1544, 1672, 1684, 1695, 1718, 1720, 1721, 1723, 1742, 1752, 1755 and 1791 are included under the topic Early Duran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Duran Spelling VariationsIn comparison with other European surnames, Italian surnames have a surprising number of forms. They reflect the regional variations and the many dialects of the Italian language, each with its own distinctive features. For example, in Northern Italy the typical Italian surname suffix is "i", whereas in Southern Italy it is "o". Additionally, spelling changes frequently occurred because medieval scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded rather than according to any specific spelling rules. The spelling variations in the name Duran include Durante, Duranti, Durando, Durantini, Dante, Danti, Dantini, Duranco, Durastanti, Durrante, Durrant, Duran, Durand and many more. Early Notables of the Duran familyProminent among members of the family was
Duran RankingIn the United States, the name Duran is the 601st most popular surname with an estimated 49,740 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Duran is ranked the 1,322nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,288 people with that name. 2
Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Duran were among those contributors: Duran Settlers in United States in the 16th Century
Duran Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Duran Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Duran Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 4 Duran Settlers in West Indies in the 16th Century
Duran Settlers in West Indies in the 19th Century
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